PURPOSE: Vocational rehabilitation (VR) is important to maximize return-to-work (RTW) outcomes for individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, long-term outcomes from early provision of such services are limited, including impact on rates of RTW and whether pre-injury hours and duties are achieved. Furthermore, factors contributing to successful RTW following VR provided early and embedded within the rehabilitation team have not been thoroughly examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RTW outcome data were extracted from clinical records of patients employed pre-injury who completed a comprehensive VR program. RESULTS: There were 99 participants (mean age 38.88 years; 75.8% male), one who completed two separate RTW trials. Of these, 92% returned to their previous employer, but 51% returned to modified duties, 50% needed strategies to compensate for cognitive/physical changes, 45% worked reduced hours, and 25% returned to modified duties, reduced hours and used compensatory strategies. Factors influencing RTW included age, injury severity and time from injury to commencement of RTW program. On average, 14 vocational therapy hours were required per RTW program. CONCLUSION: With specialist RTW support, successful RTW can be achieved, but can be a lengthy process, particularly if physical/spinal cord injuries are also present and modifications to hours/duties are frequently required.
Downing et al. (2026) studied this question.