Return-to-work: Exploring professionals’ experiences of support for persons with spinal cord injury

Abstract

Purpose To generate knowledge about how professional stakeholders organise and experience the support of the return-to-work (RTW) process for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods Constructivist grounded theory approach. Professional stakeholders (n = 34) involved in the RTW process and representing three Swedish Regions were recruited into seven focus groups. Analysis followed initial, focussed, and theoretical coding. Findings The core category – mediating intentions to support work and possibilities of working through social, labour market, and societal context – illustrates complexities of when and how to support a person with SCI in the RTW process, and a risk of delayed, unequal, or absent RTW processes. Analysis outlines: (1) Assessment of ability to work – uncertainty of how and when; (2) Planning RTW – divide between dynamic and rule-based perspectives; (3) Work re-entry – unequal paths towards viable solutions. Conclusions In RTW after SCI, it is critical to acknowledge how the RTW process is situated in relation to the person and context. A possible direction – grounded in an occupational perspective – through early identification of needs and resources and coordination derived from the SCI rehabilitation setting within healthcare is suggested. This can facilitate a time-sensitive and equal RTW process.