Making a successful return to work: The UK burden of injury multicentre longitudinal study

Abstract

Background: Injuries are common andmake a significant contribution to sickness absence, but little is known about problems experienced by injured people on return to work (RTW). Aim: To quantify work problems on RTWand explore predictors of such problems. Design & setting: Multicentre longitudinal study in four UK hospitals. Method: Prospective study of injured participants aged 16-65 years who were employed or self-employed prior to the injury and had RTWat 1 or 4months post injury. Results: At 1month,most (59%) had onlymade a partial RTW. By 4months, 80% had fully RTW. Those who had partially RTWhad problems related to physical tasks (work limited formedian of 25% of time at 1month, 18% at 4months), time management (10% at 1month, 20% at 4months) and output demands (10% at 1month, 15% at 4months). Productivity losses were significantly greater among those with partial than full RTWat 1month (median 3.3% versus 0.9%, P<0.001) and 4months (median 4.6% versus 1.1%P = 0.03). Moderate/severe injuries (relative risk [RR] 1.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.35 to 2.77) and sports injuries (RR 1.73, 95% CI = 1.12 to 2.67) were associated with significantly greater productivity losses at 1month while pre-existing long-termillnesses (RR 2.12, 95% CI = 1.38 to 3.27) and upper limb injuries (RR 1.64, 95% CI = 1.06 to 2.53) were at 4months. Conclusion: Injuries impact on successful RTW for at least 4 months. Those who have only partially RTW experience the most problems and GPs should pay particular attention to identifying work problems in this group and ways of minimising such problems. ©British Journal of General Practice.