[Prognosis of returning to the labour market after attending a vocational rehabilitation clinic].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to describe the basic financial support 5 years after attending a vocational rehabilitation clinic and evaluate the influence of sociodemographic factors on employment and disability pension.


METHODS
A registry-based follow-up study based on information from vocational rehabilitation clinics and Statistics Denmark. All clients with a minimum of 8 weeks' stay at a vocational rehabilitation clinic in Northern Jutland County in 1996 were included.


RESULTS
521 persons were included in the study, 60% were women and 66% had only completed basic school. 60% were outside the workforce and several had had sporadic contact to the labour market. After 5 years 22% were employed and 48% had been awarded disability pension. For women age <40 years and employment in 1995 predicted their return to the labour market, whereas high employment seniority was the most important factor for men. For both sexes age (>40 years) was associated with obtaining disability pension and for men employment before attending a vocational rehabilitation clinic was of importance.


CONCLUSIONS
The aim of vocational rehabilitation clinics is to help persons with limited working capacity to return to employment. This was achieved only to a minor extent. The majority achieved a clarification of their basic financial support after a stay in a vocational rehabilitation clinic and were withdrawn from temporary social benefits. In the light of the results of the study, we find that vocational rehabilitation clinics are still important in order to clarify the basic financial support.
Lundager
Birthe
B
Aalborg Sygehus, Socialmedicinsk Enhed, Aalborg. b.lundager@rn.dk
Jensen
Vibeke
V
Fonager
Kirsten M
KM
D000328:Adult; D003718:Denmark; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010415:Pensions; D011379:Prognosis; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000191:economics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation