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What is a return to work after stroke?: 12 month work outcomes in a feasibility trial

Sinclair, Emma; Radford, Kathryn A.; Grant, Mary; Terry, Jane

What is a return to work after stroke?: 12 month work outcomes in a feasibility trial Thumbnail


Authors

Emma Sinclair

Mary Grant

Jane Terry



Abstract

Background: Return to work (RTW) is an outcome in determining the effectiveness of rehabilitation post-stroke. However, stroke survivors (SS) may return to different roles with altered work status. Income, hours, responsibilities and job-satisfaction may be reduced. SS may be dissatisfied if unable to resume apriori work status; alternatively adjusted work status may be viewed positively if perceived as a way of reducing the risk of another stroke. The purpose of this study was to explore what is meant by RTW.
Method: Information about the nature of RTW (job type, hours, roles, responsibilities) was extracted from 3, 6 and 12 month follow-up postal questionnaires in 46 SS participants in a feasibility randomised controlled trial investigating effectiveness of a vocational rehabilitation intervention.
Results/Findings: Participants took a mean 90 (SD:70, range 7-227) days to RTW. 19/46 reported working at 12 months. In 17 who supplied complete data, 7(41%) reported reduced working hours. Participants incurred a mean wage loss of 44% against pre-stroke earnings. 10/17(59%) participants were in the same job with the same employer and 6(35%) were working in different/modified jobs (1 missing:). 10/17(59%) had work-place adjustments. 18/46 (39%) participants were happy with their work situation.
Discussion: Participants experienced marked changes in work status post-stroke, with implications for job-satisfaction, financial security and quality of life. Research into psychological adjustment following altered vocational status in SS is warranted.
Conclusion: RTW is a complex outcome and may not translate to a return to pre-stroke vocational status. It is important to consider what constitutes a RTW following stroke.

Citation

Sinclair, E., Radford, K. A., Grant, M., & Terry, J. (2014). What is a return to work after stroke?: 12 month work outcomes in a feasibility trial. Clinical Rehabilitation, 28(4), 410-411. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215513506172

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 27, 2013
Online Publication Date Mar 5, 2014
Publication Date Sep 5, 2014
Deposit Date Jan 17, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Clinical Rehabilitation
Print ISSN 0269-2155
Electronic ISSN 1477-0873
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 28
Issue 4
Pages 410-411
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215513506172
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/725811
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0269215513506172
Additional Information Proceedings of the SRR Summer 2013 Meeting