Barriers and Facilitators Impacting Return-to-Work Reported by People with Poststroke Aphasia

Area of Science:

• Neurorehabilitation
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Employment is a significant goal for individuals with stroke-induced aphasia, impacting their quality of life.
• Understanding the factors influencing return-to-work is crucial for effective rehabilitation planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the barriers and facilitators impacting return-to-work for individuals with stroke-induced aphasia.
• To gather insights directly from the perspectives of individuals with aphasia.

Main Methods:

• Virtual focus groups were conducted with twenty participants experiencing varying severities of stroke-induced aphasia.
• Qualitative content analysis was used to categorize reported factors influencing return-to-work.
• Results were compared between participants who had and had not successfully returned to work.

Main Results:

• Communication deficits, cognitive impairments, and physical disabilities were identified as primary barriers.
• Facilitators included patience, adjusted work pace, changes in employment type, supportive environments, and high-technology aids.
• Participants successfully employed reported facilitators more frequently than those not yet returned to work.

Conclusions:

• Stakeholder consensus is vital for developing effective employment re-entry strategies for individuals with aphasia.
• This study highlights critical factors for rehabilitation professionals to consider, addressing both current practices and areas needing more focus.