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Long-Term Effects of Psychological Symptoms after Occupational Injury on Return to Work: A 6-Year Follow-Up

Author

Listed:
  • Po-Ching Chu

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, #1, Ren-Ai Rd. Sec. 1, Taipei 10051, Taiwan
    Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, #7, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 10002, Taiwan)

  • Wei-Shan Chin

    (National Institute of Environmental Health Science, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, #35 Keyan Rd., Zhuan, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan
    School of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, #250, Wuxing St., Taipei 11031, Taiwan)

  • Yue Leon Guo

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, #1, Ren-Ai Rd. Sec. 1, Taipei 10051, Taiwan
    Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, #7, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 10002, Taiwan
    National Institute of Environmental Health Science, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, #35 Keyan Rd., Zhuan, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan)

  • Judith Shu-Chu Shiao

    (School of Nursing, National Taiwan University, #1, Ren-Ai Rd. Sec. 1, Taipei 10051, Taiwan)

Abstract

Psychological factors may compromise return to work among workers with occupational injuries, and little is known about the long-term consequences of psychological symptoms relating to return to work. The study examined the impact of psychological symptoms on return to work as well as exploring factors associated with return to work among injured workers. A total of 572 workers who experienced occupational injuries were recruited in this prospective cohort study. Surveys of the psychological symptoms using the 5-item Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-5) were conducted at 3 and 12 months after the injury. All of the workers were invited to join the study at year 6 after the injury. Sociodemographic factors, psychological symptoms, injury severity, and return-to-work status were collected. Approximately 10% of injured workers could not return to work even 6 years after the injury. Severe psychological symptoms within 1 year after the injury presented a significant risk factor for not returning to work 6 years after the injury (adjusted OR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5–0.8). Furthermore, age, education level, length of hospitalization, and injury-induced changes in appearance had significant independent influence on return to work as well. These findings highlight the importance of the effects of mental health within 1 year post injury on return to work, and support the concept of early screening, detection, and intervention in at-risk occupational injured workers with severe psychological symptoms.

Suggested Citation

  • Po-Ching Chu & Wei-Shan Chin & Yue Leon Guo & Judith Shu-Chu Shiao, 2019. "Long-Term Effects of Psychological Symptoms after Occupational Injury on Return to Work: A 6-Year Follow-Up," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:2:p:235-:d:198003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Douglas P Terry & Grant L Iverson & William Panenka & Angela Colantonio & Noah D Silverberg, 2018. "Workplace and non-workplace mild traumatic brain injuries in an outpatient clinic sample: A case-control study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(6), pages 1-17, June.
    2. MacKenzie, E.J. & Shapiro, S. & Smith, R.T. & Siegel, J.H. & Moody, M. & Pitt, A., 1987. "Factors influencing return to work following hospitalization for traumatic injury," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 77(3), pages 329-334.
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    Cited by:

    1. José-María Figueredo & Cristina García-Ael & Andrea Gragnano & Gabriela Topa, 2020. "Well-Being at Work after Return to Work (RTW): A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-27, October.

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