title: Individuals with traumatic brain injuries perceptions and experiences of returning to work in South Africa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify the central concepts of a model that would facilitate the return to work process of individuals with brain injury. However for the purpose of this paper there will be a focus only on the barriers and facilitators that influence the return to work process.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten individuals who were diagnosed with a mild to moderate brain injury participated in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative research methods were used in order to explore the research question. The participants were selected by means of purposive sampling and the data was collected by means of in depth interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the study revealed that the participants experienced a sense of loss of function after the brain injury, a fear of the future and loss of confidence in their worker roles. The participants also indicated that by means of adapting occupational routines an actively engaging in rehabilitation they developed confidence in their worker roles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Occupational therapists have to use a client centred holistic work integrative approach in order to successfully rehabilitate as well as facilitate the return to work process with people who have suffered a traumatic brain injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, University of the Western Cape, Belville, South Africa. msoeker@uwc.ac.za
authors.forename: Mogammad Shaheed
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Soeker
authors.forename: Viki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Van Rensburg
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Travill
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003071:Cognition; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024382:Professional Role; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012951:Socialization; D013019:South Africa; D035501:Uncertainty; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation