title: Assessment for returning to work after spinal cord injuries and patient's vocational preferences.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Returning to work after spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex process due to the nature of injury and its devastating effect on all aspects of patients. This case study report is based on a spinal cord injury centre of Bangladesh.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The evaluation examined vocational assessment process and vocational interest of persons with SCI undergoing rehabilitation program in the center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Occupational Therapists were interviewed to understand the existing vocational assessment services. This study also used data from 183 vocational assessment forms to find out the association of vocational interests and other demographic factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The vocational assessment conducted to gathered information on the physical capacity of the patient and physical environment of patients living area only. The most preferred vocational interest was shop management 39%, and returning to previous job 38%. Vocational trades with the lowest level of interest were computer (2%) and electronics (3%), and 10% of patients at the time of assessment were undecided. A statistically significant association between interest to return to previous job and gender, age, occupation before injury and living area were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients go through a complex process to adapt to a new life after experiencing SCI which is significantly influenced by the rehabilitation professionals around him/her. A comprehensive assessment including psychosocial information and therapist's expertise on facilitations making vocational decision based on the variables can optimize the rehabilitation outcome.
authors: Department of Occupational Therapy, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Mohammad Mosayed
authors: MM
authors: Ullah
authors: Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors: Amit
authors: A
authors: Sarker
authors: International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors: Suman Kanti
authors: SK
authors: Chowdhury
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057240:Patient Preference; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D062707:Return to Work; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014829:Vocational Education; D014830:Vocational Guidance; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Vocational assessment; employment; rehabilitation; vocational interest