Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T04:30:27.887Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Paths to Work after Stroke in Australia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2014

J. Killey ,
L. Gustafsson  and
M. Hoyle
J. Killey
Affiliation:
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Division of Occupational Therapy, University of Queensland, Australia
L. Gustafsson*
Affiliation:
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Division of Occupational Therapy, University of Queensland, Australia
M. Hoyle
Affiliation:
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Division of Occupational Therapy, University of Queensland, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Louise Gustafsson, The University of Queensland, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia. E-mail: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

Background and aims: Previous research has focused primarily on incidence rates and barriers/facilitators influencing return to work, without considering the formal paths accessed by people with stroke. The aim of this study was to identify the paths used by Australian people to return to work following stroke, including changes to work-related habits and routines, and job satisfaction.

Methods: This descriptive, retrospective study recruited people through newsletters and online forums for people with stroke. The quantitative data were summarised descriptively and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare pre- and post-stroke job satisfaction rates.

Results: Participants (n = 21) were aged 48 years on average, female (67%) and university trained (71%). Ten (48%) participants did not access formal return-to-work services, yet participants commonly reported changes to work-related habits and routines. Participants were significantly less satisfied with their post-stroke job suitability (physically, cognitively and financially), stability and importance (p < .05).

Conclusion: Participants in this small-scale study did not routinely access formal support services to return to work, while experiencing changes to work-related habits and satisfaction. Further research is required to document the return-to-work paths, including the experience from the perspective of the person with stroke.

Keywords

return to workstrokeemploymentjob satisfactionvocational rehabilitation
Type
Articles
Information
Brain Impairment , Volume 15 , Issue 2 , September 2014 , pp. 99 - 106
Copyright
Copyright © Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alaszewski, A., Alaszewski, H., Potter, J., & Penhale, B. (2007). Working after a stroke: Survivors’ experiences and perceptions of barriers to and facilitators of the return to paid employment. Disability and Rehabilitation, 29 (24), 1858–1869.Google Scholar
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2009). ANZSCO – Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (1st ed., revision 1) (No. 1220.0). Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/DetailsPage/1220.0First%20Edition,%20Revision%201Google Scholar
Australian Government Department of Human Services. (2012). Eligibility for age pension. Retrieved from http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/centrelink/age-pension/eligibility-for-age-pensionGoogle Scholar
Carlsson, G.E., Möller, A., & Blomstrand, C. (2009). Managing an everyday life of uncertainty – a qualitative study of coping in persons with mild stroke. Disability and Rehabilitation, 31 (10), 773–782.Google Scholar
Corr, S., & Wilmer, S. (2003). Returning to work after a stroke: An important but neglected area. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 66 (5), 186–192. Retrieved from http://www.ingentaconnect.comGoogle Scholar
Culler, K.H., Wang, Y., Byers, K., & Trierweiler, R. (2011). Barriers and facilitators of return to work for individuals with strokes: perspectives of the stroke survivor, vocational specialist, and employer. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 18 (4), 325–340.Google Scholar
Daniel, K., Wolfe, C.D.A., Busch, M.A., & McKevitt, C. (2009). What are the social consequences of stroke for working-aged adults? A systematic review. Stroke, 40, 431–440.Google Scholar
Department of Human Services. (2013). Disability employment services. Retrieved from http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/disability-employment-servicesGoogle Scholar
Gilworth, G., Sansam, K.A.J., & Kent, R.M. (2009). Personal experiences of returning to work following stroke: An exploratory study. Work, 34, 95–103.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gustafsson, L., & Turpin, M. (2012). Analysis of one stroke survivor's transition into vocational experiences. Brain Impairment, 13 (1), 99–107.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hackett, M.L., Glozier, N., Jan, S., & Lindley, R. (2009). Psychosocial outcomes in stroke: The POISE observational stroke study protocol. BMC Neurology, 9, 24–35.Google Scholar
Hartke, R.J., Trierweiler, R., & Bode, R. (2011). Critical factors related to return to work after stroke: A qualitative study. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 18 (4), 341–351.Google Scholar
Koch, L., Egbert, N., Coeling, H., & Ayers, D. (2005). Returning to work after the onset of illness: Experiences of right hemisphere stroke survivors. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 48 (4), 209–218.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lindström, B., Röding, J., & Sundelin, G. (2009). Positive attitudes and preserved high level of motor performance are important factors for return to work in younger persons after stroke: A national survey. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 41, 714–718.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lock, S., Jordan, L., Bryan, K., & Maxim, J. (2005). Work after stroke: Focusing on barriers and enablers. Disability and Society, 20 (1), 33–47.Google Scholar
Medin, J., Barajas, J., & Ekberg, K. (2006). Stroke patients’ experiences of return to work. Disability and Rehabilitation, 28 (17), 1051–1060.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Morris, R. (2011). The psychology of stroke in young adults: The roles of service provision and return to work. Stroke Research and Treatment, 2011, 1–10. doi:10.4061/2011/534812.Google Scholar
O'Brien, A.N., & Wolf, T.J. (2010). Determining work outcomes in mild to moderate stroke survivors. Work, 36 (4), 441–447.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Radford, K.A., & Walker, M.F. (2008). Impact of stroke on return to work. Brain Impairment, 9 (2), 161–169.Google Scholar
Saeki, S., & Toyonaga, T. (2010). Determinants of early return to work after first stroke in Japan. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 42 (3), 254–258.Google Scholar
Sinclair, E., Radford, K., Grant, M., & Terry, J. (2013). Developing stroke-specific vocational rehabilitation: A soft systems analysis of current service provision. Journal of Disability and Rehabilitation, Early Online, 1–9. doi:10.3109/09638288.2013.793410.Google Scholar
Treger, I., Shames, J., Giaquinto, S., & Ring, H. (2007). Return to work in stroke patients. Disability and Rehabilitation, 29 (17), 1397–1403.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vestling, M., Ramel, E., & Iwarsson, S. (2005). Quality of life after stroke: Well-being, life satisfaction, and subjective aspects of work. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 12 (2), 89–95.Google Scholar
Vestling, M., Tufvesson, B., & Iwarsson, S. (2003) Indicators for return to work after stroke and the importance of work for subjective well-being and life satisfaction. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 35 (3), 127–131.Google Scholar
Wolfenden, B., & Grace, M. (2009). Returning to work after stroke: A review. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 32 (2), 93–97.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed