We studied how moderate to severe childhood traumatic brain injury
(TBI) affects vocational outcome with time. This is the second
follow-up of patients who were injured as preschoolers in traffic
accidents. In the first follow-up the mean age was 23 years and in the
present study the average age of the 27-patient cohort was 40 years.
Twenty-two patients were assessed clinically by a neuropsychologist,
neurologist and a social worker. Five patients, although not able or
willing to participate in the clinical study, were contacted by
telephone and interviewed on their vocational outcome. Compared to the
first follow-up, 20/27 patients in total had no change in their
vocational status. Nine out of the 27 patients were working full-time,
two had subsidized jobs and 16 were not working. Twenty-four of 27
patients were independent in daily living. In the neuropsychological
tests of executive functions, preserved flexibility associated with
full-time work status. In conclusion, 1/3 of the patients were
still employed full-time over 30 years after the TBI. This suggests
that favorable vocational outcome, reached by young adulthood, is
maintained at least until middle age. (JINS, 2004,
10, 719–723.)