None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This project's hypotheses are that early access to vocational rehabilitation services for in-patients in NSW spinal units will increase return to work rates and have a positive impact on general health and well being of the participants. This study will also have other components to complement the quantitative aspect namely a qualitative sub-evaluation (investigating the perspective of the participants and rehabilitation staff), a process sub-evaluation (with reference to the implementation of the intervention), and a cost sub-evaluation.
Interventions
Early access to vocational rehabilitation (VR) services in the three spinal cord injury units in New South Wales, Australia will be provided by trained vocational consultants.
The duration of the intervention is individualised according to the needs and goals of the participants, anywhere around 3 weeks to 3 months.
Contact will be made as early as one week post injury if possible considering medical/psychological stability but may be up to 6 months post injury based on the consultation with
Early access to vocational rehabilitation (VR) services in the three spinal cord injury units in New South Wales, Australia will be provided by trained vocational consultants. The duration of the intervention is individualised according to the needs and goals of the participants, anywhere around 3 weeks to 3 months. Contact will be made as early as one week post injury if possible considering medical/psychological stability but may be up to 6 months post injury based on the consultation with the treating health professionals, when the rehabilitation team were in agreement that the person is well enough to be offered the intervention. The rehabilitation vocational consultants will engage in a variety of tasks with each client - the frequency and nature of which will be individually tailored to the client's needs, they include; 1. Engagement in a series of conversations regarding return to work expectations 2. Assisting the inpatient to commence conversations with the pre-injury employer to explore return to work possibilities including conducting work place visits, job analysis and workplace assessments 3. Assisting the inpatient to explore return to work options including providing vocational counseling, job seeking skills training 4. Assisting the in-patient to develop an individual return to work plan 5. Establishing relationships and processes with key stakeholders that will support and facilitate return to work 6. Ensuring the continuity of appropriate vocational rehabilitation post discharge
Sponsors
Rehabilitation Studies Unit (RSU), University of Sydney
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
16 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1. Recent spinal cord injury (defined as spinal cord injury in previous 6 months that results in permanent disability) 2. Gives informed consent to participate in the evaluation
Exclusion criteria
1. Spinal injuries attributable to progressive or degenerative diseases, congenital conditions, or metastatic lesions 2. No return to work goal as indicated by a total lack of interest in and/or desire to return to work on the part of the participant. Work may be either in a paid or unpaid capacity. Note that students yet to obtain work are included as are participants who wish to return to or commence non paid work eg volunteer work, or as a carer, or to commence or continue a course of study or training that may lead to improved vocational prospects 3. Considered by the rehabilitation treatment team to be unable to participate due to any medical or psychological reasons, e.g. requiring permanent mechanical ventilation, severe depression or adjustment disorder
Outcome results
None listed