Patient Perspectives on Key Outcomes for Vocational Rehabilitation Interventions Following Traumatic Injury

Bridger, Kay; Kellezi, Blerina; Kendrick, Denise; Radford, Kate; Timmons, Stephen; Rennoldson, Mike; Jones, Trevor; Kettlewell, Jade

Abstract

Returning to work after traumatic injury can have a range of benefits, but there is currently little research that incorporates patient perspectives to identify outcomes of vocational rehabilitation interventions that are important to survivors. Trauma survivors (n = 17) participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews or focus groups exploring outcomes that were important to them for recovery and return to work. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants identified a range of outcomes that they considered important and necessary to facilitate a successful and sustainable return to work: physical and psychological recovery, purposeful life engagement, managing expectations of recovery, managing expectations about return to work, and employers’ expectations. Our participants advocated for a multifaceted and biopsychosocial understanding of recovery and outcomes that need to be captured for vocational rehabilitation interventions. Implications for practice and research are discussed, and recommendations are given based on the findings.

Citation

Bridger, K., Kellezi, B., Kendrick, D., Radford, K., Timmons, S., Rennoldson, M., …Kettlewell, J. (2021). Patient Perspectives on Key Outcomes for Vocational Rehabilitation Interventions Following Traumatic Injury. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), Article 2035. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18042035

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 16, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Feb 19, 2021
• Publication Date: Feb 19, 2021
• Deposit Date: Feb 23, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2021
• Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 4
• Article Number: 2035
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18042035
• Keywords: traumatic injuries; return to work; vocational rehabilitation; outcomes; patient
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5345888
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/4/2035