On-site work evaluations: desensitisation for avoidance reactions following severe hand injuries

This study examined on-site work evaluations as an environmental exposure strategy to promote return to work in 15 recalcitrant patients who had failed to benefit from established methods of reducing post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Following the on-site work evaluation, 87% of these patients were able to use visualisation of the work setting to further desensitize themselves and returned to work within the next eight weeks. All 87% have continued to be employed at six and twelve month follow-ups. This approach holds promise for assisting patients with hand injuries who develop post-traumatic stress disorder and fail to respond to traditional psychological strategies.