Erin J Bush1, Karen Hux2, Timothy C Guetterman3, Miechelle McKelvey4. 1. a Division of Communication Disorders , University of Wyoming , Laramie , WY , USA. 2. b Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders , University of Nebraska Lincoln , Lincoln , NE , USA. 3. c Department of Family Medicine , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA. 4. d Department of Communication Disorders , University of Nebraska Kearney , Kearney , NE , USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The researchers explored the return-to-work experiences of five adults with severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and those associated with them by performing a qualitative, multiple case study investigation involving in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Selection of this qualitative methodology allowed for personal, individualized accounts of adults with TBI returning to work. Specifically, this methodology promoted accurate representation of the idiosyncratic nature of each participant's experiences. METHODS: The researchers asked individuals to participate based on the diversity of their vocational experiences following TBI. RESULTS: Four of the five participants had returned to their pre-injury jobs. Two were subsequently fired and, at the time of research participation, were unemployed. One participant never returned to paid employment; however, he had held two volunteer positions for several years post-injury. Salient content from interview transcripts allowed for the identification of five to eight themes pertinent to each case. CONCLUSIONS: Interpretation of the themes led to three main conjectures about return-to-work experiences following TBI: (a) job satisfaction may relate more to involvement in productive activities than monetary compensation; (b) adults with TBI can be successful in holding and maintaining positions with high cognitive demands; and (c) individualized job modifications and strategies are likely necessary for adults with TBI to succeed vocationally.
OBJECTIVE: The researchers explored the return-to-work experiences of five adults with severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and those associated with them by performing a qualitative, multiple case study investigation involving in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Selection of this qualitative methodology allowed for personal, individualized accounts of adults with TBI returning to work. Specifically, this methodology promoted accurate representation of the idiosyncratic nature of each participant's experiences. METHODS: The researchers asked individuals to participate based on the diversity of their vocational experiences following TBI. RESULTS: Four of the five participants had returned to their pre-injury jobs. Two were subsequently fired and, at the time of research participation, were unemployed. One participant never returned to paid employment; however, he had held two volunteer positions for several years post-injury. Salient content from interview transcripts allowed for the identification of five to eight themes pertinent to each case. CONCLUSIONS: Interpretation of the themes led to three main conjectures about return-to-work experiences following TBI: (a) job satisfaction may relate more to involvement in productive activities than monetary compensation; (b) adults with TBI can be successful in holding and maintaining positions with high cognitive demands; and (c) individualized job modifications and strategies are likely necessary for adults with TBI to succeed vocationally.
Entities:
Keywords:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI); multiple case study
Authors: José-María Figueredo; Cristina García-Ael; Andrea Gragnano; Gabriela Topa Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-10-15 Impact factor: 3.390