Determinants of return to work following non life threatening acute orthopaedic trauma: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

To determine factors associated with return to work following acute non-life-threatening orthopaedic trauma.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and sixty-eight participants were recruited and followed for 6 months. The study achieved 89% participant follow-up.

METHODS

Baseline data were obtained by survey and medical record review. Participants were further surveyed at 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months post-injury. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between potential predictors and first return to work by these 3 time-points.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight percent of participants returned to work within 6 months. Those who sustained isolated upper extremity injuries were more likely to return to work early. Significant positive determinants of return to work included a strong belief in recovery, the presence of an isolated injury, education to university level and self-employment. Determinants associated with non-return to work included the receipt of compensation, older age, pain attitudes and blue-collar work. The primary reason given for return to work was financial security.

CONCLUSION

Demographic, injury, occupation and psychosocial factors were significant predictors of return to work. The relative importance of factors at different time-points suggests that return to work is a multifactorial process that involves the complex interaction of many factors in a time-dependent manner.