Work Potential and Work Performance during the First Try-Out of the Person-Centred Return to Work Rehabilitation...

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• Neurorehabilitation
• Vocational rehabilitation

Background:

• Stroke survivors often face challenges in returning to work.
• The ReWork-Stroke programme aims to support individuals who worked before their stroke.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore changes in work potential and performance in stroke survivors undergoing the ReWork-Stroke programme.
• To assess the effectiveness of occupational therapist interventions in enhancing work re-entry.
• To determine the rate of return to paid work nine months post-intervention.

Main Methods:

• A case study involving ten participants with mild to moderate stroke.
• Utilized the Worker Role Interview and Assessment of Work Performance for changes.
• Analyzed participant logbooks on work potential and performance via content analysis.

Main Results:

• Participant work potential remained supportive for return to work.
• Positive changes were observed in work performance and environmental factors, including belief in workplace adaptations.
• Seven out of ten participants successfully returned to paid employment.

Conclusions:

• The ReWork-Stroke programme demonstrates potential in enhancing work capacity and facilitating return to work for stroke survivors.
• Further investigation is recommended to validate the programme's impact on work potential, performance, and re-entry rates.