TY - JOUR
T1 - Return to work following acquired brain injury: the views of patients and employers
AU - Donker-Cools, Birgit H. P. M.
AU - Schouten, Maria J. E.
AU - Wind, Haije
AU - Frings-Dresen, Monique H. W.
PY - 2016/11/10
Y1 - 2016/11/10
N2 - Purpose: To investigate which factors are experienced as facilitators of or barriers to return to work (RTW), or as solutions to RTW-problems, by patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) and by employers. Design: Qualitative study. Method: Ten patients with ABI and seven employers participated in semi-structured interviews. Patients and employers were unrelated. Transcripts were open coded. Factors perceived to be facilitators, barriers, or solutions to RTW-problems were grouped on a thematic basis. Results: Both patients and employers distinguished patient-related and work-related facilitators. When questioned about barriers, both patients and employers emphasized the importance of work-related factors such as sensory overload at the workplace and condition-related factors such as fatigue. Patients regarded poor guidance and support as barriers, but employers did not. Employers and patients suggested that solutions to RTW-problems were work-related, if necessary backed up by professional supervision. Patients also mentioned the need for understanding and acceptance of the limitations resulting from ABI. Conclusions: Both patients and employers mentioned work-related and patient-related facilitators, work-related and condition-related barriers, and work-related solutions to RTW-problems. Patients mentioned lack of guidance and support as barriers, and stressed the need for understanding and acceptance of the limitations resulting from ABI in any RTW-solution
AB - Purpose: To investigate which factors are experienced as facilitators of or barriers to return to work (RTW), or as solutions to RTW-problems, by patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) and by employers. Design: Qualitative study. Method: Ten patients with ABI and seven employers participated in semi-structured interviews. Patients and employers were unrelated. Transcripts were open coded. Factors perceived to be facilitators, barriers, or solutions to RTW-problems were grouped on a thematic basis. Results: Both patients and employers distinguished patient-related and work-related facilitators. When questioned about barriers, both patients and employers emphasized the importance of work-related factors such as sensory overload at the workplace and condition-related factors such as fatigue. Patients regarded poor guidance and support as barriers, but employers did not. Employers and patients suggested that solutions to RTW-problems were work-related, if necessary backed up by professional supervision. Patients also mentioned the need for understanding and acceptance of the limitations resulting from ABI. Conclusions: Both patients and employers mentioned work-related and patient-related facilitators, work-related and condition-related barriers, and work-related solutions to RTW-problems. Patients mentioned lack of guidance and support as barriers, and stressed the need for understanding and acceptance of the limitations resulting from ABI in any RTW-solution
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2016.1250118
DO - https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2016.1250118
M3 - Article
C2 - 27830952
SN - 0963-8288
VL - 40
SP - 185
EP - 191
JO - Disability and rehabilitation
JF - Disability and rehabilitation
IS - 2
ER -