Prospective analysis of factors associated with work reentry in patients with accident-related injuries

Introduction: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of accidents, the physical and psychological consequences, the patient's predisposition as well as work-related cognitions on return to work (RTW) post accident. Despite the costs of time-off from work after accidental injuries, very few investigations have been carried out so far. Method: In a consecutive sample, 163 patients were investigated directly and 12 months after an accident. Results: 32% of the patients had a poor occupational integration 12 months after an accident. As predictors for return to work were found type of prior work: laborer (OR=4.34; 1.79-10.50 CI 95%), type of accident: recreational (OR=0.27; 0.11-0.69 CI 95%) and subjective perception of the accident severity (OR=0.98; 0.96-0.99 CI 95%). Conclusion: Laborers after a traffic or work accident, who estimate the accident as severe, are at greater risk of developping long-term disability. Future efforts should be conducted especially for this target group.