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Published on: February 16, 2011
Opportunities and barriers for successful return to work after acquired brain injury: A patient perspective
Marie Matérne1, Lars-Olov Lundqvist1,2, Thomas Strandberg2
1University Health Care Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
Background:
Many people who suffer an acquired brain injury (ABI) are of working age. There are benefits, for the patient, the workplace, and society, to finding factors that facilitate successful return to work (RTW).
Objective:
The aim was to increase knowledge of opportunities and barriers for a successful RTW in patients with ABI.
Method:
Five men and five women with ABI participated. All had successfully returned to work at least 20 hours a week. Their experiences were gathered by semi-structured interviews, which were subsequently subjected to qualitative content analysis.
Results:
Three themes that influenced RTW were identified: individually adapted rehabilitation; motivation for RTW; and cognitive and social abilities. An individually adapted rehabilitation was judged important because the patients were involved in their own rehabilitation and required individually adapted support from rehabilitation specialists, employers, and colleagues. A moderate level of motivation for RTW was needed. Awareness of the person's cognitive and social abilities is essential, in finding compensatory strategies and adaptations.
Conclusions:
It seems that the vocational rehabilitation process is a balancing act in individualized planning and support, as a partnership with the employer needs to be developed, motivation needs to be generated, and awareness built of abilities that facilitate or hinder RTW.
