Factors associated with awareness of vocational rehabilitation services after traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the characteristics of persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who were aware of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services 1 year after hospital discharge. Design: Medical record and longitudinal survey data on persons with TBI were analyzed using logistic regression and bivariate analyses. Setting: The study sample was drawn from a population- based sample of persons hospitalized in 1 of 8 hospitals in north-central Alabama. Participants: Criteria for inclusion were: (1) being at least 18 years of age or older when injured; (2) having sustained a TBI; (3) being discharged alive after a hospital stay of at least 3 days; (4) residing and having been injured in the state of Alabama; (5) participation in a 12-month follow-up interview. Main Outcome Measure: Patients' awareness of VR service programs and benefits. Results: Awareness of VR service programs was associated with: (1) being Caucasian; (2) being more often employed at the time of injury; (3) being more often severely injured; and (4) more frequently receiving outpatient rehabilitation. Conclusion: Interventions should target non-Caucasians, those who were unemployed when injured, those less severely injured, and those not receiving outpatient rehabilitation services after hospital discharge. Periodic review of VR benefits with patients and their families should be undertaken by health care and VR professionals.