Transition back to work after mild TBI: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background

While many persons who sustain a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) can resume work shortly after their injury, some experience persisting symptoms leading to longer-term sickness absence. In-depth knowledge about how these persons experience the return to work (RTW) process is needed.

Aims

To explore how persons with MTBI experience the process of returning to ordinary competitive work after a prolonged period of sickness absence.

Material and methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six persons (four women) approximately 12 months after sustaining an MTBI. Data were analysed using a stepwise-deductive inductive method.

Results

When starting work the participants experienced a crisis. They described the importance of making the actual decision to RTW. Being present at the workplace was significant. In the process of increased workload, they expressed having challenges related to time perception and capacity restrictions. The importance of being seen and valued was emphasised. When reintegrated into the workplace revaluing work tasks and priorities shaped the RTW process as well as a further professional career.

Conclusions and significance

The process of RTW contained the experience of unpredictability and incompatibility with own identity and performance. Working had an impact on social participation, self-worth, daily structure, as well as reconstructing occupational biography.

Keywords:

• Biographical disruption
• mild traumatic brain injury
• return to work
• social interaction
• work participation

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the participants for sharing their experiences in this study, as well as members of the RCT group that contributed their involvement and support. This study is part of a randomized controlled trial conducted by Oslo University Hospital, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV), and the Work Research Institute (AFI), and is funded by the Research Council of Norway (RCN).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).