Presented in part to the American Burn Association, April 7, 2006, Las Vegas, NV.
Abstract
Esselman PC, Wiechman Askay S, Carrougher GJ, Lezotte DC, Holavanahalli RK, Magyar-Russell G, Fauerbach JA, Engrav LH. Barriers to return to work after burn injuries.
Objective
To identify barriers to return to work after burn injury as identified by the patient.
Design
A cohort study with telephone interview up to 1 year.
Setting
Hospital-based burn centers at 3 national sites.
Participants
Hospitalized patients (N=154) meeting the American Burn Association criteria for major burn injury, employed at least 20 hours a week at the time of injury, and with access to a telephone after discharge.
Intervention
Patients were contacted via telephone every 2 weeks up to 4 months, then monthly up to 1 year after discharge.
Main Outcome Measures
A return to work survey was used to identify barriers that prevented patients from returning to work. A graphic rating scale determined the impact of each barrier.
Results
By 1 year, 79.7% of patients returned to work. Physical and wound issues were barriers early after discharge. Although physical abilities continued to be a significant barrier up to 1 year, working conditions (temperature, humidity, safety) and psychosocial factors (nightmares, flashbacks, appearance concerns) became important issues in those with long-term disability.
Conclusions
The majority of patients return to work after a burn injury. Although physical and work conditions are important barriers, psychosocial issues need to be evaluated and treated to optimize return to work.
aDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
bDepartment of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
cDepartment of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, University of Colorado Health Science Center, Denver, CO
dDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
eDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Correspondence to Peter C. Esselman, MD, Dept of Rehabilitation Medicine, 325 9th Ave, Box 359740, Seattle, WA 98104
Supported by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education (grant no. H133A020402).
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the author(s) or upon any organization with which the author(s) is/are associated.
ABSTRACT