TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2007//
TI  - Barriers to return to work after burn injuries
JO  - Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
A1  - Esselman, Peter C.
A1  - Askay, Shelley Wiechman
A1  - Carrougher, Gretchen J.
A1  - Lezotte, D. C.
A1  - Holavanahalli, Radha K.
A1  - Magyar-Russell, Gina
A1  - Fauerbach, James A.
A1  - Engrav, Loren H.
SP  - S50
EP  - 6
VL  - 88
IS  - 12
N2  - 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.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0003-9993
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2007.09.009
ID  - ref1
ER  -