Study No. 4: Social, occupational and personal factors related to vocational rehabilitation.

Sixty-nine of 110 laryngectomees (63%) in Norway resumed work after operation. Re-employment was established for most of the patients before active rehabilitation was initiated. The best situational and social guidelines for successful re-employment were residence, education, and social group. Abuse of alcohol gave a poor outlook for re-employment. A thorough pre-operative history comprising social factors, life story, and previous occupation may give valuable information about prospects of postoperative re-employment. Patients with an assumed low vulnerability to stressful events and those with good adjustment proven or indicated in earlier life, resumed work significantly more often than patients with other personal and behavioral characteristics.