What is a ‘return to work’ following traumatic brain injury? Analysis of work outcomes 12 months post TBI

ABSTRACT

Background: Literature lacks a clear description of return to work following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Aim: to describe work metrics for people with mild and moderate/severe TBI at 3, 6, and 12 months post-injury.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 172 TBI participants measuring work outcomes up to 12-months post-injury. Metrics described vocational status, accommodations, satisfaction, hours, time taken to return, financial status, and responsibilities. Logistic regression identified factors indicative of complete (80% of pre-injury hours) return to work.

Results: 59/86 moderate/severely injured (68.6%) and 68/81 mildly injured (84%) people returned to work following TBI. Twenty-eight (16.3%) achieved a complete return by 12 months. The regression model was statistically significant X² (4) =  51.980, p = <.0005, suggesting that those with high health-related quality of life, anxiety and functional ability were more likely to achieve complete return to work. At 12 months, 41 participants (23.8%) had workplace accommodations. One hundredfifteen (66.9%) were less content with their job and many reported reduced working hours.

Discussion: This study highlights the heterogeneity of work post-TBI. Even people with ‘mild’ TBI fail to make a complete return to work by 12 months.

Conclusions: Further longitudinal research is needed to explore the personal and economic legacy of TBI.

KEYWORDS:

• Return to work
• RTW
• traumatic brain injury
• TBI
• employment

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this research.