Article

PURPOSE: To explore alternative methods for assessing return-to-work success.
METHOD: This exploratory study employed a prospective design. Participants (N =
150) were all vocational rehabilitation recipients who sustained a work-related
injury that resulted in them being off work for at least 6 months, and were
unable to return to their pre-injury position. At baseline (B), all were reported
to have found post-injury employment. Qualitative features of the participants'
post-injury employment were assessed at the time of initial interview (T1), which
was conducted a mean of approximately one year following the participants'
scheduled workplace re-entry (mean 344 days). Participants' T1 employment
characteristics were then compared to their outcomes at the time of follow-up
(T2), which was approximately 3 months later (mean 85 days). RESULTS: Findings
indicate that 25% of participants were not in their baseline jobs at the time of
last contact; some were in different jobs, however others were not working. At T1
many of those working reported experiencing difficulties. Comparisons revealed
significant relationships between problem indicators at T1 and employment
outcomes at T2, with significant problem indicators including worries that
symptoms might interfere with their ability to continue in the job, difficulties
with the job's physical demands and a strong desire to leave their current job.
When problem indicators were used in combination, stronger relationships were
observed and self-assessed performance contributed to the effect. CONCLUSIONS:
Results add support to the contention that rather than a single event, RTW is an
evolving, complex and sometimes nonlinear process. This should be kept in mind
when assessing the success of an injured worker's RTW.

Langue : ANGLAIS