title: A cross-sectional study of the demographic, cultural, clinical and rehabilitation associated variables predicting return to employment after disability onset in an Asian society.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the rate of return to work, and to find demographic, clinical and functional factors associated with successful re-employment after in-patient rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a cross-sectional cohort study of Singaporeans aged 15 and above who underwent inpatient rehabilitation in a Singapore hospital between 2000 and 2007. Phone interviews were conducted in 2007 to 2008, via a structured questionnaire to evaluate factors of return to work.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four hundred and eight patients met with the inclusion criteria, and 123 participants completed the questionnaire. Forty-five (44.7%) participants successfully returned to work with a mean time of 7 months post-discharge. Statistical significant differences were found between the "return to work" group and "non-return to work" group based on age group (p=0.04), education level (p=0.001), pre-morbid job category (0.013) and functional status (p<0.0005) as determined by Functional Independence Measure scores. Cox regression analysis controlling the period between discharge and survey indicated that higher FIM scores and higher education level predicted successful re-employment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This result re-affirmed the importance of functional status to the success of return-to-work in Singapore. Further qualitative studies might be useful in exploring the social or environmental factors affecting return-to-work outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Therapy Department, Rehabilitation Center, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. yetta.chan.w.y@sgh.com.sg
authors.forename: Wai Yin
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Natalie Jin Lin
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Chew
authors.forename: Leila Ilmami Binte
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Nasron
authors.forename: Stephanie Man Chung
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Fook-Chong
authors.forename: Yee Sien
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003469:Culture; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D062707:Return to Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012846:Singapore; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014937:Work; D055815:Young Adult