Vocational rehabilitation for traumatic injuries: a survey of current practice and training needs of Australian allied health clinicians.

Abstract

Background: Vocational rehabilitation (VR) supports people to return to work after traumatic injury (traumatic brain injury, multi-trauma orthopaedic injury including traumatic amputation, and spinal cord injury). In Australia, funding circumstances and clinician knowledge can impact VR delivery. This study aimed to ascertain current VR practice by allied health clinicians working in traumatic injury rehabilitation, and to explore their knowledge, confidence and training needs.

Methods: An online questionnaire was disseminated throughout Australia, targeting allied health clinicians working in traumatic injury rehabilitation. Respondents were asked to describe any prior VR training, describe current VR provision, to rate knowledge and confidence across specified VR interventions, and to identify any training needs.

Results: There were 107 respondents with an average 15.87 years of experience and 7.58 years providing VR. Most worked predominantly in community or outpatient settings with variable scope of VR provision. A total of 74% reported currently providing VR interventions, but only 10% strongly agreed that they had the resources to effectively deliver VR. Over half reported little or no knowledge or confidence with employer engagement and vocational assessment, with 43.6 and 36.6% reporting that they were 'somewhat knowledgeable' and 'somewhat confident', respectively, in providing education on return to work processes. The majority (93.1%) confirmed an interest in receiving VR training.

Conclusions: Among the experienced cohort of respondents, VR is practised largely outside the hospital setting, with variable scope of interventions provided, and clinicians reporting variable levels of confidence and knowledge in delivering this intervention. Respondents endorsed an interest in VR training.