Returning to Work after Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Statistically speaking, TBI is an injury of young persons, since incidence rates peak between the ages of 16-25.  It is estimated that there are more than 5 million people in the US with TBI.  As a result of the young age of TBI onset and the sheer numbers of persons with TBI, the economic and personal cost is great. 

Studies conducted show that 50% of persons with severe TBI do not return to the vocational roles they had before the injury.  Additionally, 20% of those with what was categorized as mild-TBI were unemployed.  It is estimated that $56 billion dollars annually are spent as a result of failure to return to work after TBI. 

The challenge to return to work is great because the TBI person with more severe injury have emotional issues and problems with memory, sequencing and judgement.  They may experience fatigue, be dependent on others for activities of daily living as well as transportation. 

The following may aide in the return to work after TBI:

• Vocational Rehabilitation services early in the rehabilitation process
  • On-the-job training
  • Counseling and guidance
  • Job placement services
  • Supportive work environment
  • Cognitive skills training
  • Provide training for and use of assistive technology

Unfortunately many people with TBI fail to return to work.  It is hard to determine why that is as studies are not well-defined, do not use universal definitions for terms, and often do not define a specific path (or pathways) of success with regard to return to work.

Reference:  “TBI Research Review:  Return to Work After Traumatic Brain Injury.”  https://www.brainline.org/article/tbi-research-review-return-work-after-traumatic-brain-injury