Winsett RP, Carter JM, Gaber AO, Hathaway DK; Academy for Health Services Research and Health Policy. Meeting.
Abstr Acad Health Serv Res Health Policy Meet. 2001; 18: 189.
University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 877 Madison Ave, Ste 602, Memphis, TN 38163 Phone: (901) 448-6104, Fax: (901) 448-4121, E-mail: rwinsett@utmem.edu
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: Interventions designed to enhance posttransplant quality of life (QoL) include the use of a center-based vocation counselor. The impact of the return to work (RTW) program on posttransplant employment was compared to a historical control group.STUDY DESIGN: The RTW program is one arm of a three pronged intervention program to enhance posttransplant QoL. A sequential cohort design with pre-post measures was used to determine the effects of the intervention. The intervention cohort received proactive assistance in determining long-term employment goals from a master's prepared rehabilitation counselor.POPULATION STUDIED: The RTW program is one arm of a three pronged intervention program to enhance posttransplant QoL. A sequential cohort design with pre-post measures was used to determine the effects of the intervention. The intervention cohort received proactive assistance in determining long-term employment goals from a master's prepared rehabilitation counselor.PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Based on the pretransplant employment status, recipients in the intervention cohort who were employed prior to transplant tended to returned to work earlier than the control group (1.97 mos. vs. 2.7mos. p=NS). Of those who were disabled prior to transplant, interventional participants achieved 85.7% employment by 1 year as compared to 28.4% for the control group (p < .01).CONCLUSIONS: Employment posttransplant is one way to measure the success of a transplant center. The ability to achieve successful employment is enhanced by proactive intervention from a vocational counselor.IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY, DELIVERY, OR PRACTICE: Transplantation is successful in improving QoL in transplant recipients and the ability to return to work has personal as well as societal benefits. The national work incentive initiative protects disability benefits of the recipients while participating in the RTW program. The combined efforts of the RTW program and the national work incentive initiative increases the number of working and productive transplant recipients.PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: National Institutes of Nursing Research
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Disabled Persons
- Employment
- Insurance, Health
- Motivation
- Rehabilitation, Vocational
- Work
- economics
- methods
- rehabilitation
- transplantation
- hsrmtgs
Other ID:
UI: 102273533
From Meeting Abstracts