Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the trajectory and predictors of employment over a
period of 10 years following traumatic brain injury and traumatic orthopaedic
injury. DESIGN: Prospective follow-up at 1, 2, 5 and 10 years post-injury.
PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-nine individuals with traumatic brain injury and 79 with
traumatic orthopaedic injury recruited from Epworth HealthCare in Melbourne,
Australia during inpatient rehabilitation. METHODS: Information was obtained from
medical files and self-report questionnaires. RESULTS: Individuals with traumatic
brain injury were less likely to be competitively employed during the period up
to 10 years post-injury compared with individuals with traumatic orthopaedic
injury, although there was evidence of increasing employment participation during
that time. More severe traumatic brain injury, older age, pre-injury
psychological treatment, and studying or having a blue-collar occupation at time
of injury were associated with poorer employment outcomes. Individuals with
traumatic brain injury had spent less time with their current employer and were
less likely to have increased responsibility since the injury than those with
traumatic orthopaedic injury. At least half of each group reported difficulty at
work due to fatigue. CONCLUSION: Given the potential for gains in employment
participation over an extended time-frame, there may be benefit in ongoing access
to individualized vocational rehabilitation. Particular areas of focus would
include managing fatigue and psychiatric disorders, and exploring supported
occupational activity for all levels of injury severity.

Langue : ANGLAIS