What is a 'return to work' following traumatic brain injury? Analysis of work outcomes 12 months post TBI
Abstract
Background:
Literature lacks a clear description of return to work following traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Aim: to describe work metrics for people with mild and moderate/severe TBI at 3, 6, and 12 months post-injury.
Methods:
A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 172 TBI participants measuring work outcomes up to 12-months post-injury. Metrics described vocational status, accommodations, satisfaction, hours, time taken to return, financial status, and responsibilities. Logistic regression identified factors indicative of complete (80% of pre-injury hours) return to work.
Results:
59/86 moderate/severely injured (68.6%) and 68/81 mildly injured (84%) people returned to work following TBI. Twenty-eight (16.3%) achieved a complete return by 12 months. The regression model was statistically significant X2 (4) = 51.980, p = <.0005, suggesting that those with high health-related quality of life, anxiety and functional ability were more likely to achieve complete return to work. At 12 months, 41 participants (23.8%) had workplace accommodations. One hundredfifteen (66.9%) were less content with their job and many reported reduced working hours.
Discussion:
This study highlights the heterogeneity of work post-TBI. Even people with 'mild' TBI fail to make a complete return to work by 12 months.
Conclusions:
Further longitudinal research is needed to explore the personal and economic legacy of TBI.
Reference: Watkin, C., Phillips, J., & Radford, K. (2019). What is a 'return to work' following traumatic brain injury? Analysis of work outcomes 12 months post TBI. Brain injury, 34(1), 68 - 77.
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Brain Injury on October 29, 2019, available online at the Taylor & Francis Ltd web site: www.tandfonline.com at www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02699052.2019.1681512