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

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: Jan 17, 2017
• 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
• Contract Date: Jan 17, 2017