title: Return to work after work-related traumatic brain injury.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Work-related traumatic brain injury (wrTBI) comprises up to 24% of TBIs, yet relatively little is known about it even though wrTBI incurs high costs to employers, insurers, and injured.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare demographic, clinical, and occupation-related factors following mild-to-moderate TBI of those who successfully returned to work (RTW) versus those who did not, and to determine perceived facilitators of and barriers to RTW.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cohort study from a consecutive sample of persons with TBI seen in an outpatient assessment clinic. Surveys were mailed to eligible potential participants. Consenting participants were interviewed by telephone or returned a completed survey via mail.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty of 116 eligible individuals participated in the study. Half of the participants returned to work. Participants in this group were significantly younger and had more years of education than the no-RTW group. The most common factors perceived to assist the RTW group were support of family and friends (92%) and of treatment providers (80%), and employers who provided accommodations (76%). Difficulty thinking and concentrating (94%) and fatigue (94%) were the most common barriers to RTW.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights the importance of support from family, friends and employers as RTW facilitators. These factors merit further investigation in TBI rehabilitation studies.
authors: Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, Canada.|Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Colantonio
authors: Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Salehi
authors: Department of Health Sciences, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada.|Institute for Work & Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Vicki
authors: V
authors: Kristman
authors: Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: J David
authors: JD
authors: Cassidy
authors: Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Carter
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Oshin
authors: O
authors: Vartanian
authors: Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Bayley
authors: Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, Canada.
authors: Bonnie
authors: B
authors: Kirsh
authors: Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, Canada.|Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Debbie
authors: D
authors: Hébert
authors: Centre for Research in Human Development, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Lewko
authors: Public Services Health & Safety Association, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Olena
authors: O
authors: Kubrak
authors: Research Action Alliance on the Consequences of Work Injury, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada.
authors: Steve
authors: S
authors: Mantis
authors: Research Service Unit, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Lee
authors: L
authors: Vernich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000070642:Brain Injuries, Traumatic; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060051:Occupational Injuries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D062707:Return to Work; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace
keywords: Traumatic brain injury; barriers; facilitators; return to work