Patients' experience of return to work rehabilitation following traumatic brain injury: a phenomenological study

Many persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are young adults who, prior to their TBI, were in paid employment. Psychosocial outcome after TBI, for many, remains poor. This includes low rates of return to pre-injury work or education, among others. This qualitative study explored the experience of return to work (RTW) rehabilitation with 10 individuals who sustained TBI. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Some of the main findings from this study included the following: Individuals find the RTW experience difficult and painful. They experience a distinct grief reaction in the process of exploring re-engagement in occupation following TBI. In view of these and other findings, changes to RTW rehabilitation should be considered to facilitate the optimal support for patients with TBI engaging in the RTW rehabilitation process.