Article

The purpose of this study was to evaluate (1) the feasibility of an
early vocational rehabilitation (EVR) protocol in the standard rehabilitation
process, (2) promoting factors and barriers encountered with the EVR protocol,
and (3) perceived effectiveness of the protocol in facilitating return to work
(RTW) following acquired brain injury (ABI). METHOD:
A pre- and post-process
evaluation was performed in a Dutch rehabilitation center. Dependent variables
were feasibility (defined by the usability on process level and fulfillment of
usability expectations), promoting factors and barriers, and perceived
effectiveness of the protocol. Usability (defined by 13 performance and timing
goals) was evaluated with existing forms and registrations. Fulfillment of
usability expectations, perceived promoting factors and barriers, and perceived
effectiveness were investigated with questionnaires. Data of 23 patients were
available for process evaluation. Nine rehabilitation professionals, 10 patients
with ABI, nine employers, and six occupational physicians completed the
questionnaires. RESULTS: Two-thirds of the performance goals and one-fourth of
the timing goals were reached. All respondents cited the structured protocol as a
promoting factor. Thirty-two of the thirty-four participants perceived the
protocol as being suitable facilitating RTW after ABI. CONCLUSIONS: The EVR
protocol provides a structured strategy to focus on RTW during standard
rehabilitation. It is now possible to implement and test the protocol in other
rehabilitation settings. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: The early vocational
rehabilitation (EVR) facilitates an interdisciplinary and systematic focus on
return to work during rehabilitation of people with acquired brain injury. The
feasibility of the EVR protocol has been tested. The EVR protocol is ready for
implementation and wider testing in other rehabilitation settings.

Langue : ANGLAIS