Factors influencing return to work following hospitalization for traumatic injury

This paper describes the employment experience of 266 individuals one year after traumatic injury severe enough to require hospitalization. Of those working full-time prior to their injury, 56 per cent were employed full-time at one year; an additional 5 per cent were working part-time. Those sustaining a severe head or spinal cord injury were at highest risk of not returning to work (only 43 per cent and 21 per cent, respectively, had returned within the year). Low one-year employment rates (58 per cent) were also noted for individuals whose most severe injury was to one or more extremities. The extent and rate of return to work was examined in relation to selected socioeconomic and personal characteristics. Findings indicate that after controlling for type and severity of injury, personal income, and educational level of the injured person, as well as the identification of a strong social network as defined by the presence of one or more confidants, were important correlates of post-injury employment status.