Evaluation of the implementation of the protocol of an early vocational rehabilitation intervention for people with acquired brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate (1) the feasibility of an early vocational rehabilitation (EVR) protocol in the standard rehabilitation process, (2) promoting factors and barriers encountered with the EVR protocol, and (3) perceived effectiveness of the protocol in facilitating return to work (RTW) following acquired brain injury (ABI).


METHODS
A pre- and post-process evaluation was performed in a Dutch rehabilitation center. Dependent variables were feasibility (defined by the usability on process level and fulfillment of usability expectations), promoting factors and barriers, and perceived effectiveness of the protocol. Usability (defined by 13 performance and timing goals) was evaluated with existing forms and registrations. Fulfillment of usability expectations, perceived promoting factors and barriers, and perceived effectiveness were investigated with questionnaires. Data of 23 patients were available for process evaluation. Nine rehabilitation professionals, 10 patients with ABI, nine employers, and six occupational physicians completed the questionnaires.


RESULTS
Two-thirds of the performance goals and one-fourth of the timing goals were reached. All respondents cited the structured protocol as a promoting factor. Thirty-two of the thirty-four participants perceived the protocol as being suitable facilitating RTW after ABI.


CONCLUSIONS
The EVR protocol provides a structured strategy to focus on RTW during standard rehabilitation. It is now possible to implement and test the protocol in other rehabilitation settings.


CONCLUSIONS
The early vocational rehabilitation (EVR) facilitates an interdisciplinary and systematic focus on return to work during rehabilitation of people with acquired brain injury. The feasibility of the EVR protocol has been tested. The EVR protocol is ready for implementation and wider testing in other rehabilitation settings.
a Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands and.|b Department of Research and Development , Institute of Vocational Assessment and Education, Heliomare Rehabilitation Centre , Wijk aan Zee , The Netherlands.
Judith M
JM
van Velzen
a Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands and.|b Department of Research and Development , Institute of Vocational Assessment and Education, Heliomare Rehabilitation Centre , Wijk aan Zee , The Netherlands.
Coen A M
CA
van Bennekom
b Department of Research and Development , Institute of Vocational Assessment and Education, Heliomare Rehabilitation Centre , Wijk aan Zee , The Netherlands.
Max
M
van Dormolen
a Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands and.
Judith K
JK
Sluiter
a Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands and.
Monique H W
MH
Frings-Dresen
D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000592:standards*; D062707:Return to Work; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Acquired brain injury; intervention; stroke; traumatic brain injury; vocational