Tailored vocational rehabilitation for people with a work disability pension in The Netherlands; an in-depth data analysis of the content and outcomes of vocational rehabilitation trajectories of the Social Security Institute.

PURPOSE

People with a work disability pension receive vocational rehabilitation (VR) services from the Dutch Social Security Institute (SSI) in order to facilitate return-to-work (RTW). The SSI offers tailored VR existing of two trajectories (aimed at getting fit for work or aimed at returning to work). The purpose of this study is to describe the current practice of VR. This includes a description of client characteristics, RTW barriers and the intensity, duration, content and the outcomes of the offered trajectories.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed data from 197 clients that were randomly selected from clients who attended a VR trajectory between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2018. Data were obtained from the SSI registration databases and client files.

RESULTS

Both VR trajectories at the SSI have a different aim, but in practice the content of the VR interventions often overlaps. Around half of both trajectories reached their goal. Reasons for unsuccessful trajectories were that the client did not find work or barriers were more complex than initially assessed.

CONCLUSIONS

The SSI delivers tailored VR to the specific needs of the client, however substantiations for why a certain VR intervention is offered are limited. Guidelines are needed to support professionals.