Fokus på arbeidsdeltakelse i et intervensjonsprogram etter hjerneslag

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to obtain new knowledge about whether and how work participation was a focus during a Norwegian intervention programme that was based on the US programme Lifestyle Redesign. The programme lasted for eight months and contained nine modules. The modules were based on group sessions and included some individual follow-up during the period. Method: The study had an exploratory design, with an inductive approach. Six semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with three different informant groups; persons of working age with Acquired Brain Imjury (ABI) (n = 3), relatives (n = 2), and programme occupational therapists (n = 1). The interviews were audio-taped and verbatim transcribed to text before analyzed. The analysis was based on conventional qualitative content analysis, emphasizing the expressed content, combined with quantitative content analysis. Results: The condensed meaning units (n =116*) formed three topics: (1) Whether work participation was a topic in the programme, (2) which work-related topics were addressed, and (3) factors experienced as important for return to work. Topic 1 (n = 59*) revealed that work was a latent theme, but not included in the intervention programme. As the informants were engaged in.their own work participation, it became an underlying perspective in the group modules, but especially at the individual follow-up. Topic 2 (n = 40*) showed that the work related topics revealed were such as expectations, structural, social and personal relationships, loss of work and work as part of the fundamental restructuring process. Topic 3 (n = 17*) revealed that both the persons with acquired brain injury and their relatives stressed the following as key factors in the process of returning to work: working with their qualifications, taking initiatives, planning and maintaining social support. Conclusion: Work participation became a latent theme during the implementation of the intervention programme because the participants with acquired brain injury were concerned with their own participation in work. The study identified several work-related issues that were important for work participation and return to work that can be used for development of a new module or longitudinal topic in a intervention programme based on the US programme Lifestyle Redesign for persons with (Acquired brain injury) AB. *meaning units.