Analysing data from existing records, the researchers found that around a third of survivors (34%) reported returning to work since their brain injury. 59% of mTBI survivors were not working at 2 weeks after injury – of these, the majority reported being on temporary leave (83%) while 7% reported being disabled. At 12 months after injury, 17% of mTBI survivors reported not working. 21% of survivors also reported a decline in their annual income.
The researchers confirmed that survivors who were offered employer assistance in the first 3 months of injury were more likely to report working at 6 and 12 months post-injury. Types of assistance included having a modified schedule, part-time or reduced working hours, or transferring to a position with different tasks.
To access the article, visit https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2793771
Reference: Gaudette, E., Seabury, S.A., Temkin, N., Barber, J., DiGiorgio, A.M., Markowitz, A.J., Manley, G.T. (2022). Employment and Economic Outcomes of Participants With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in the TRACK-TBI Study. JAMA Network Open, 5(6).