Arbeidsdeltakelse hos pasienter med kognitiv svikt etter traumatisk hjerneskade

Abstract

Background Participation in the daily work life is an important part of creating our lifestyle and identity. For many people this is sense of coherence. Work contributes to structure, routines and content to everyday living. Having difficulties when trying to return to work is one of the major problems for patients with cognitive failure.

Purpose The aim of this project was to study important factors that affect work participation by those with cognitive deficits following an acquired brain injury.

Methods A qualitative method with semistructured interviews was used to collect data from three participants with traumatic brain injury. All participants were interviewed in 2011 about their work experience after the injury. To analyze the material, Giorgi’s phenomenological analysis was used.

Results The participants experienced a broad range of factors, when trying to return to work. This research reveals that a strong motivation to work, injury-related consequences and the ability to provide flexible solutions at work, were the most signification factors. The paper also indicates that social support and the enlightenment of ones own injury is of great value.

Conclusion The paper illustrates that self-awareness, accept different level of functioning and facilitate work place adjustments based on individual demands, are important factors when returning to work. From other studies it is also found that attitude and knowledge of the employer, social support and other environmental factors affect patients with traumatic brain injury getting back to the working life.