[Impact of occupational problems on employment status six months after inpatient neurological rehabilitation].

Background: By identifying occupational problems, job-related therapies may be included in rehabilitation at an early stage, increasing the return-to-work rate. The aim of the present study was to examine whether occupational problems that were identified were associated with the employment status six months after inpatient rehabilitation.

Methods: A total of 122 neurological patients undergoing neurological inpatient rehabilitation at the BDH-Clinic Hessisch Oldendorf were retrospectively analysed using clinical routine data from the database of the clinic. Occupational problems were identified with the help of a self-assessment (Wuerzburg Screening [WS]) and an ICF-compliant medical assessment (d850) at the beginning of neurological rehabilitation. In addition, data about the employment status six months after rehabilitation were collected.

Results: While the BPL identified in the WS was associated with the employment status at the time of follow-up (r=-0.288; p=.007), there was no relationship between the medical assessment of occupational impairment and the employment status. In binary logistic regression models for predicting the employment status, the duration of the incapacity to work, age, gender and an interdisciplinary assessment at the end of rehabilitation proved to be predictors for the employment status.

Conclusion: Occupational problems are associated with occupational reintegration six months after discharge from neurological inpatient rehabilitation. Since occupational problems are taken into account in the treatment planning, the impact on the return to work rate may be underestimated in the current study.