Mary Stergiou-Kita1, Elizabeth Mansfield2, Sandra Sokoloff3, Angela Colantonio4. 1. Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Work and Health, Toronto, ON, Canada. 2. Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada. 3. Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. 4. Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada. Electronic address: angela.colantonio@utoronto.ca.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of gender on the return to work experience of workers who sustained a work-related mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Qualitative study using in-depth telephone interviews. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. Participants were adults (N=12; males, n=6, females, n=6) with a diagnosis of mild TBI sustained through a workplace injury. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Not applicable. RESULTS: Our findings suggest that gender impacts return to work experiences in multiple ways. Occupational and breadwinner roles were significant for both men and women after work-related mild TBI. Women in this study were more proactive than men in seeking and requesting medical and rehabilitation services; however, the workplace culture may contribute to whether and how health issues are discussed. Among our participants, those who worked in supportive, nurturing (eg, feminine) workplaces reported more positive return to work (RTW) experiences than participants employed in traditionally masculine work environments. For all participants, employer and coworker relations were critical elements in RTW outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The application of a gender analysis in this preliminary exploratory study revealed that gender is implicated in the RTW process on many levels for men and women alike. Further examination of the work reintegration processes that takes gender into account is necessary for the development of successful policy and practice for RTW after work-related MTBI.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of gender on the return to work experience of workers who sustained a work-related mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Qualitative study using in-depth telephone interviews. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. Participants were adults (N=12; males, n=6, females, n=6) with a diagnosis of mild TBI sustained through a workplace injury. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Not applicable. RESULTS: Our findings suggest that gender impacts return to work experiences in multiple ways. Occupational and breadwinner roles were significant for both men and women after work-related mild TBI. Women in this study were more proactive than men in seeking and requesting medical and rehabilitation services; however, the workplace culture may contribute to whether and how health issues are discussed. Among our participants, those who worked in supportive, nurturing (eg, feminine) workplaces reported more positive return to work (RTW) experiences than participants employed in traditionally masculine work environments. For all participants, employer and coworker relations were critical elements in RTW outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The application of a gender analysis in this preliminary exploratory study revealed that gender is implicated in the RTW process on many levels for men and women alike. Further examination of the work reintegration processes that takes gender into account is necessary for the development of successful policy and practice for RTW after work-related MTBI.
Authors: Eve M Valera; Annie-Lori C Joseph; Katherine Snedaker; Matthew J Breiding; Courtney L Robertson; Angela Colantonio; Harvey Levin; Mary Jo Pugh; Deborah Yurgelun-Todd; Rebekah Mannix; Jeffrey J Bazarian; L Christine Turtzo; Lyn S Turkstra; Lisa Begg; Diana M Cummings; Patrick S F Bellgowan Journal: J Head Trauma Rehabil Date: 2021-01-01 Impact factor: 3.117
Authors: Douglas P Terry; Grant L Iverson; William Panenka; Angela Colantonio; Noah D Silverberg Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-06-01 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: John K Yue; Ryan Rl Phelps; Debra D Hemmerle; Pavan S Upadhyayula; Ethan A Winkler; Hansen Deng; Diana Chang; Mary J Vassar; Sabrina R Taylor; David M Schnyer; Hester F Lingsma; Ava M Puccio; Esther L Yuh; Pratik Mukherjee; Michael C Huang; Laura B Ngwenya; Alex B Valadka; Amy J Markowitz; David O Okonkwo; Geoffrey T Manley Journal: J Concussion Date: 2021-04-06