Development and feasibility testing of a psychoeducational tool to support the return to work (RTW) of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI): The RTW after TBI app.

To document the development and clinician evaluation of a psychoeducational and support tool: the return to work after traumatic brain injury app (RTW after TBI app). Co-design of the app involved the collaboration of traumatic brain injury (TBI) /vocational rehabilitation (VR) expert researchers (n = 4) and lived experience co-designers (individuals with TBI who had previously returned to work; n = 4). Twelve TBI/VR clinician reviewers then evaluated the app. Content analysis of TBI/VR clinician reviewers' interviews revealed four themes: content, usability (functional ease of use), utility (applicability to RTW after TBI) and suggestions for improvements. All clinicians reported that they would use the RTW after TBI app in their clinical practice. Although several aspects were reported to potentially limit the app's appropriateness for some TBI clients, many feasible improvements were suggested to address limitations. These improvements aim to increase the utility of the app with a wider range of clients and extend its use to other settings. Future research should evaluate, in a clinical trial, the efficacy of the RTW after TBI app in supporting individuals with TBI and their vocational providers and optimizing RTW success.

The experience of employers of individuals with traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVES: To understand the experience of employers of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who have received comprehensive vocational rehabilitation (VR), the factors involved in supporting an individual with TBI to return to work (RTW), and the support needs of employers. METHODS: 12 employers completed semi-structured interviews, which were recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically. RESULTS: Five main themes were identified: challenges and impact on employer, managing employee post-injury changes, looking after employee wellbeing, managing conflicting emotions, and utilizing sources of support. Although employers received support with operational challenges, findings suggest they were not prepared for the emotional journey. While they struggled to support employees through the difficult process of realizing they could no longer perform at their pre-injury level, employers strove to find appropriate roles and ensure wellbeing for their injured employees. Despite employers' endeavours, they felt this process was demoralizing for some employees. CONCLUSIONS: Advising employers on operational as well as emotional support needs of both employees and employers is an ongoing challenge for VR providers. Although unsupportive employers were not well-represented in this sample, the study highlights the challenges faced and strategies used by employers who have a strong personal investment in the successful RTW of their employees.

The experience of return to work in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI): A qualitative study.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability in young people, with return to work (RTW) a major goal of recovery. This qualitative study aimed to understand the RTW experience of individuals with TBI who received comprehensive vocational rehabilitation, and to identify facilitating and limiting factors in the RTW process. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 individuals (mean age = 47.33 years) approximately 4.5 years post-injury, of whom 14 had moderate to severe TBI. Twelve individuals had successfully returned to work. Thematic analysis of transcribed interviews identified three key factors affecting RTW: client, work and rehabilitation factors. Across these factors, 12 themes reported to be critical to the success or failure of the RTW programme were identified. Client themes included social support, cognitive difficulties and motivation, with RTW too early associated with unfavourable outcomes. Work themes included work modifications, employer support and financial incentives. Rehabilitation themes included the RTW programme, the role of the vocational occupational therapist and work preparation. These key factors were reported to have impacted the RTW outcome, comprising three further themes: work satisfaction, future vocational outlook, and quality of life. Consideration of these factors can inform vocational rehabilitation programmes, potentially improving employment outcomes following TBI.

Exploring employment following traumatic brain injury in persons who completed an insurer funded vocational rehabilitation program in Australia.

PURPOSE: To extend the authors' previous research by investigating the maintenance of work performance over time and the long-term experience of employment following traumatic brain injury (TBI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 72 individuals with predominantly severe TBI, up to 10-years post-injury. Thematic analysis of transcribed interviews was conducted. RESULTS: Four key themes were identified: brain injury influences on work performance and long-term employment; factors optimising long-term employment; and need for compromise and acceptance, which all impacted the final theme, quality of life outcome. While TBI-related difficulties such as fatigue, cognitive, and emotional difficulties still impacted work many years post-injury, work modifications and employer and vocational rehabilitation (VR) support were important factors optimising long-term employment. The timing of return to work (RTW) was also an important and potentially modifiable factor influencing work performance, which appeared to have long-term effects on the maintenance of employment. Support for acceptance of altered career goals is needed. CONCLUSION: Findings support the need for early VR to facilitate employer contact, to maximise adjustment and preparation time before RTW, to educate both employees and employers and to implement work modifications to support continuing employment after TBI.Implications for rehabilitationThe maintenance of employment following TBI is of critical importance for financial independence, psychological and social well-being, and improved quality of life.Injury-related difficulties still impact work performance many years after injury requiring individuals with TBI to continue working in modified roles and for reduced hours over the long-term.Ongoing VR and employer support is needed to facilitate long-term work modifications and compensatory strategies to support work performance.Early VR involvement to facilitate employer contact and maximise adjustment and preparation time before returning to work is necessary to avoid the negative and potentially dire consequences of returning too early.Psychological support to facilitate acceptance of role changes and career compromises is also important.

Factors associated with employment stability following traumatic brain injury, in a sample who have received comprehensive vocational rehabilitation.

PURPOSE: To quantify employment stability of individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who received comprehensive vocational rehabilitation (VR) using different measures to identify difficulties experienced and factors associated with employment stability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 72 individuals with predominantly moderate-severe TBI were interviewed. Neuropsychological assessment scores were collected. Three employment stability measures were used: number of post-injury employers, duration with employer and average weekly hours. Descriptive and predictive analyses were performed. RESULTS: 90.2% remained employed at time of interview (Mean = 4.83 years post-injury). However, participants worked significantly fewer hours, 63.9% had changed roles or employers at least once and only 51% achieved their pre-injury level of responsibility. 61% reported a high level of employer support. Self-reported difficulties included physical sequelae, memory problems and fatigue. Post-injury testing found impaired memory (34.4%) and processing speed (49.2%). After accounting for time since injury, demographic and employment variables (older age, male gender, higher pre-injury skill-level, higher level of employer support), higher level of injury-related difficulties and lower level of cognitive function significantly predicted employment stability. CONCLUSION: Injury-related difficulties impact employment long-term, necessitating ongoing work modifications. Individualised VR is important, not only to facilitate return to work but to support long-term employment stability after TBI.Implications for rehabilitationBeing male was associated with working more hours, and having faster processing speed, lower levels of fatigue and ongoing physical sequelae were associated with a longer duration with the same employer.Initial return to work is often the first step on a long journey as injury-related difficulties can continue to impact work in the-long term and require lasting modifications to duties and working hours.VR should include ongoing follow-up to facilitate work modifications and support both the employer and the employee in adjusting to these.VR should be individualised to support the impact of the unique cognitive and physical limitations experienced by each individual with TBI, based on the needs and employment demands of each workplace.