title: Return to work for severely injured survivors of the Christchurch earthquake: influences in the first 2 years.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study looked at the influences on the return to work (RTW) in the first 2 years for people severely injured in the 22 February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a constructivist grounded theory approach using semi-structured interviews to collect data from 14 people injured in the earthquake.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis elicited three themes that appeared to influence the process of RTW following the Christchurch earthquake. Living the earthquake experience, the individual's experiences of the earthquake and how their injury framed their expectations; rebuilding normality, the desire of the participants to return to life as it was; while dealing with the secondary effects of the earthquake includes the earthquake specific effects which were both barriers and facilitators to returning to work.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The consequences of the earthquake impacted on experience, process and outcome of RTW for those injured in the Christchurch Earthquake. Work and RTW appeared key tools to enhance recovery after serious injury following the earthquake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The altered physical, social and economic environment must be considered when working on the return to work (RTW) of individuals with earthquake injuries. Providing tangible emotional and social support so injured earthquake survivors feel safe in their workplace may facilitate RTW. Engaging early with employers may assist the RTW of injured earthquake survivors.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Musculoskeletal Medicine , University of Otago , Christchurch , New Zealand and.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nunnerley
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Musculoskeletal Medicine , University of Otago , Christchurch , New Zealand and.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.affiliation: b Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, AUT University , Auckland , New Zealand.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McPherson
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Musculoskeletal Medicine , University of Otago , Christchurch , New Zealand and.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hooper
authors.affiliation: a Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Musculoskeletal Medicine , University of Otago , Christchurch , New Zealand and.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Woodfield
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D055866:Earthquakes; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009520:New Zealand; D036301:Qualitative Research; D062707:Return to Work / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Earthquake; grounded theory; return to work; trauma