Citation

Chen YH, Lin HT, Lin YT, Chao YH, Lin CH, Wei FC, Lien SH. Occup. Med. 2012; 62(4): 295-297.

Affiliation

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 5, Fusing Street, Gueishan Township, Taoyuan County 333, Taiwan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/occmed/kqr215

PMID

22232065

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Return to work is an important outcome following traumatic work-related hand injuries. It is unclear how psychosocial factors affect the time to return to work following traumatic work-related hand injury. AIMS: To investigate the relationships between hand injury severity, self-perceived health, demographics and time off work (TOW) following traumatic work-related hand injuries and the influence of psychosocial factors on the readiness of return to work. METHODS: Data from 120 traumatic work-related hand injured patients were gathered. The Modified Hand Injury Severity Score (MHISS) and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used to assess the severity of hand trauma and self-perceived health, respectively. The relationships between MHISS, SF-36, demographics and TOW were analysed by multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Mean duration of TOW was 127 days for patients with a mild MHISS, 108 days for a moderate score, 160 days for a severe score and 236 days for those with a major score. A positive correlation between MHISS and duration of TOW was identified. Self-perceived physical functioning was found to have a negative correlation with TOW, whereas self-perceived mental health was positively correlated with TOW. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of self-perceived health in considering return to work following traumatic work-related hand injury.

Language: en