title: An exploration of alternative methods for assessing return-to-work success following occupational injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore alternative methods for assessing return-to-work success.
  
  
  METHODS
  This exploratory study employed a prospective design. Participants (N = 150) were all vocational rehabilitation recipients who sustained a work-related injury that resulted in them being off work for at least 6 months, and were unable to return to their pre-injury position. At baseline (B), all were reported to have found post-injury employment. Qualitative features of the participants' post-injury employment were assessed at the time of initial interview (T1), which was conducted a mean of approximately one year following the participants' scheduled workplace re-entry (mean 344 days). Participants' T1 employment characteristics were then compared to their outcomes at the time of follow-up (T2), which was approximately 3 months later (mean 85 days).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings indicate that 25% of participants were not in their baseline jobs at the time of last contact; some were in different jobs, however others were not working. At T1 many of those working reported experiencing difficulties. Comparisons revealed significant relationships between problem indicators at T1 and employment outcomes at T2, with significant problem indicators including worries that symptoms might interfere with their ability to continue in the job, difficulties with the job's physical demands and a strong desire to leave their current job. When problem indicators were used in combination, stronger relationships were observed and self-assessed performance contributed to the effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results add support to the contention that rather than a single event, RTW is an evolving, complex and sometimes nonlinear process. This should be kept in mind when assessing the success of an injured worker's RTW.
authors: Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Center for Disability Research , Hopkinton, MA , USA.
authors: Amanda E
authors: AE
authors: Young
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009790:Occupations / Q000145:classification; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D062707:Return to Work / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D017132:Workplace
keywords: Injury; outcomes; vocational rehabilitation