Article

Although individuals after spinal cord injury (SCI) demonstrate a breadth of
ability and employment potential, return-to-work (RTW) outcomes are low. In
Canada, only 38% of individuals RTW after SCI. Refining the process of job
suitability and enhancing job search strategies have been suggested to improve
RTW outcomes. Our primary study objective was to identify occupational attributes
of jobs performed after SCI that might be used to inform vocational
rehabilitation strategies and improve RTW outcomes after SCI. A secondary
analysis of participants from the Study of Health and Activity in People with
Spinal Cord Injury employed in an occupation for which they received pay, was
conducted. Frequency distributions for various occupational attributes including
physical demands and educational requirements were examined across 181 reported
occupations. chi-tests identified whether the primary mode of mobility was
related to occupational physical demands. Analysis of the physical demand
attribute identified that 58% of occupations required sitting and 33% required
sitting/standing or walking. Forty-four percent of occupations required upper or
multiple limb coordination. Eighty-three percent of occupations required a
limited strength capacity. Sixty percent of occupations required college
education and 58% required an undergraduate university education. chi-analysis
revealed nonsignificant associations between primary mode of mobility and
physical demands. In conclusion, a breadth of occupational attributes in jobs
performed by individuals after SCI was identified. These results are suggested to
inform future vocational rehabilitation strategies.

Langue : ANGLAIS