The experiences of women with traumatic brain injury about the barriers and facilitators experienced after vocational rehabilitation in the Western Cape Metropole,South Africa
Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online November 21, 2019
The experiences of women with traumatic brain injury about the barriers and facilitators experienced after vocational rehabilitation in the Western Cape Metropole,South Africa
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a serious global public health problem. Globally and annually, at least 10 million individuals live with TBI that is serious enough to result in death or hospitalisation
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to explore and describe the experiences of women with traumatic brain injury, in their work environments utilising the Model of Occupational Self-efficacy as a vocational rehabilitation approach
METHOD:
Ten females with mild to moderate traumatic brain injury participated in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and data were analysed utilising a qualitative approach to elucidate themes. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with two occupational therapists who served as key informants.
RESULTS:
Two themes emerged depicting the participants’ experiences and perceptions of barriers and facilitators which influenced their return to work: (1) Barriers to work participation for women with TBI, 2) Re-establishing a worker identity by means of vocational rehabilitation.
CONCLUSION:
Both personal and environmental factors emerged as hindrances to returning to work for women with traumatic brain injury. Vocational rehabilitation proved successful in establishing a worker identity amongst participants; however, particular focus should be placed on the function-dysfunction continuum of the process of work place integration to further develop and enhance sustainable return to work programmes for women with traumatic brain injury.
WehmanP, KregelJ, Keyser-MarcusL, Sherron-TagettP, CampbellL, WestM, CifuDX. Supported employment for persons with traumatic brain injury: A preliminary investigation of long term follow-up cost and program–efficiency. American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2003.
2.
NormanR, MatzopoulosR, GroenewaldP, BradshawD. The high burden of injuries in South Africa. Bull World Health Organ. 2007;5(9):695–702. [http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.06.037184].
3.
BradshawW, NannanN, GroenewaldP, JoubertJ, LaubscherR, NojilanaB, NormanR, PieterseD, SchneiderM. Provincial mortality in SA-priority setting for now and benchmarks for the future. 2005;95(7):496–503.
ColantonioA. Sex, Gender and Traumatic Brain Injury: A Commentary: Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. S. 2016;97(2 suppl):1–4.
6.
KriegnerN. Genders, sex and health: what are the connections-and why does it matter?International Journal Epidemiol. 2003;32:652–7.
7.
JohnstoneB, VessellR, BoundsT, HoskinsS, ShermanA. Predictors of success for state vocational rehabilitation clients with traumatic brain injury. Archives Phys Medicine Rehabilitation. 2003;84:161–7.
8.
HolbrookTL, HoytDB. The impact of major trauma: Quality-of-life outcomes are worse in women than in men, independent of mechanism and injury severity. J Trauma. 2004;56:284–90.
9.
MurphyL, ChamberlainE, WeirJ, BerryA, Nathaniel-JamesD, AgnewR. Effectiveness of vocational rehabilitation following acquired brain injury: Preliminary evaluation of a UK specialist rehabilitation programme. Brain Injury. 2006;20(11):1119–29.
10.
Van NiekerkL, CoetzeeZ, EngelbrechtM, HajwaniZ, LandmanS, MotimeleM, TerreblancheS, SupportedEmployment: Recommendations for successful implementation in South Africa. South African Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2011;41(3):85–90.
11.
SoekerMS. The development of the model of occupational self efficacy. Work. 2012;43(03):313–22.
12.
SoekerMS. A pilot study on the operationalisation of the Model of Occupational Self Efficacy: A model for the reintegration of persons with brain injuries to their worker roles. Work. 2016;53:523–34.
13.
BoundsTA, SchoppL, JohnstoneB, UngerC, GoldmanH. Gender differences in a sample of vocational rehabilitation clients with TBI. Neurorehabilitation. 2003;18(3):189–96.
14.
Health Western Cape. Healthcare 2030: Western Cape’s plan for ensuring equal access to quality health care. Western Cape, Cape Town: Department; 2013.
15.
RossJ. Occupational Therapy and Vocational rehabilitation. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons Ltd; 2007.
CoetzeeZ, GoliathC, Van Der Westhuizen, Van NiekerkL. Re – conceptualising vocational rehabilitation services towards and inter-sectoral model. South African Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2001;41(2):32–6.
18.
RobsonC. Real world research: A resource for social scientist and practitioner-researchers. 2nd ed. Oxford: Wiley Publishing; 2002.
19.
DenzinN. The sage handbook of qualitative research. 3rd ed. United States of America: Sage publications; 2005.
20.
De VosAS, StrydomH, FourieCB, DelportCSL. Research at Grassroots: For social sciences and human service professions. 4th ed. Pretoria: Van Schaik; 2011.
21.
LombardLA. Characterization of traumatic brain injury severity. In ZollmanFS. Manual of Traumatic Brain Injury Management. NewYork: Demos Medical Publishing; 2011.
22.
CreswellJW. Qualitative enquiry and research design: Choosing amongst five approaches. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications; 2007.
DyckI. Working with theory in qualitative research: An example from a study of women with chronic illness (multiple sclerosis). Using qualitative research: A practical introduction for occupational and physical therapists. Churchill Livingstone, New York; 2000.
26.
McNameeS, Walker CifuD, Wehman. Minimizing the effect of TBI-related physical sequelae on vocational return. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development. 2009;46(6):893–908.
27.
CorringD, CookJ. Client – centered care means that I am a valued human being. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2000;67(1):15–21.
28.
PansfordJ. Cognitive and behavioural rehabilitation. New York: Guilford Press; 2004.
29.
LeDouxJE. Synaptic self: How are brains become who we are. New York: Penguin Publishing; 2003.
30.
TownsendE, WilcockAA. Occupational justice and Client-Centered Practice: A Dialogue in Progress. Canadian Journal of Occupational therapy. 2004;71(2):75–87.
31.
KielhofnerG. Model of human occupation: Theory and application. 4th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008.
32.
HammelKW. Reflections on well–being and occupational rights. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2008;75(1):61–4.
MerianoC, LatellaD. Occupational therapy interventions: Functions and occupations. New York: Slack; 2008.
35.
BanduraA. Perceived self–efficacy in cognitive development and functioning. Journal of Educational Psychology. 1993;28(2):117–48.
36.
DickieV, CutchinP, HumphryR. Occupation as a transactional experience: A critique of individualism in occupational science. Journal of Occupational Science. 2006;13:83–93.
