Work conditions, support, and changing personal priorities are perceived important for return to work and for stay at work after stroke – a qualitative study

Figures & data

Table 1. Characteristics of the 20 participants.

Gender (woman), n	7
Age (years) at stroke onset, median (range)	52 (39–62)
Self-rated recovery from stroke^a, median % (range)	90 (54–100)
Fatigue^b, median (range)	9 (0–20)
Highest passed education level, n
Elementary school	4
High school	9
University/college	7
Employed in, n
Private sector	14
Public sector	6
Type of work, n
Mobile	7
Sedentary	7
Change between mobile and sedentary	6
Working hours per week after stroke, n
30–40	12
20–29	3
10–19	2
Work training	3

^a Assessed by the Stroke Impact Scale, item 9. The item ranges from 0 to 100%; higher = better [27].

^b Assessed by the Mental Fatigue Scale. The scale ranges from 0 to 42 points; higher = worse [28].

Table 2. Examples illustrating the coding tree.

Meaning unit (citation)	Condensed meaning unit	Code	Subcategory	Category	Theme
… I’ve worked from home two days a week, with the option of being able to work from home if I don’t feel well. Do it at your own pace and in your own time. I can control my working hours quite a lot. (Informant 12)	Work from home partly Work in own work pace.	Flexible work schedule	Flexible working schedule facilitated work	Adjustments and flexibility at the work place facilitated RTW and a sustainable work situation	Work conditions, support and changed personal priorities influenced RTW and the ability to stay at work after stroke
And then when you come back, the others think ”oh, but you seem back to yourself again”. They don’t see that, that you’re… you’re a bit weary… “Everything is fine”, they might think. I mean, they probably understand but they might also think that you’re like normal, like it’s no trouble. (Informant 9)	Colleagues do not understand	Colleagues need knowledge about stroke	Lack of knowledge about stroke consequences at the work place was perceived a hinder	Psychosocial support and knowledge about stroke consequences facilitated work and reduced stress
I stress less, work out more, rest more. I say NO. I won’t be a part of every work group, it’s my life, I only have one. (Informant 16)	Stress less, say no Think of other parts in life	Reduce work duties	Trying to reduce stress in the work situation	Changed view of work and other personal priorities

Table 3. Description of theme, categories, and subcategories.

Theme	Work conditions, support and changed personal priorities influenced RTW and the ability to stay at work after stroke
Categories	Adjustments and flexibility at the work place facilitated RTW and a sustainable work situation	Psychosocial support and knowledge about stroke consequences facilitated work and reduced stress	Changed view of work and other personal priorities
Subcategories	Physical adaptations facilitated the ability to work Flexible working schedule facilitated work	Need of both psychosocial and practical support from family Various support and understanding from colleagues and boss Lack of knowledge about stroke consequences at the work place was perceived a hinder	Trying to reduce stress in the work situation The stroke led to changed personal priorities

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