An Exploration of the Experiences and Perceptions of TBI Survivors About Accessing Vocational Rehabilitation During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Tarryn Petersen, Mogammad Shaheed Soeker
PMID 39108662WHAT IT FOUND
TBI survivors described suspended rehabilitation during the pandemic as blocking their return to work.
They feared infection at hospitals and faced costly transport barriers. Therapists maintained care through telehealth, video instructions, and triaging employed patients to protect jobs.
Key findings
01Suspension of rehabilitation services and fear of contracting COVID-19 prevented TBI survivors from accessing care, directly impacting their ability to resume work roles.
02Participants faced significant barriers including fear of infection at hospitals and workplaces, and excessive costs for alternative transport when public options were suspended.
03Occupational therapists facilitated access by using telehealth to send home programmes and videos, and by triaging employed patients to prioritise those at risk of losing their jobs.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study included only ten participants, limiting the breadth of experiences captured. Only two participants were female, so the findings may not reflect the specific challenges faced by women with TBI. All participants came from one hospital in South Africa, restricting generalisability to other settings or healthcare systems. Some interviews were conducted after medical appointments, potentially affecting data quality due to participant fatigue. Some participants struggled to articulate their experiences due to residual TBI effects.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that telehealth or home programmes are clinically equivalent to in-person rehabilitation for TBI. The study reports participants' perceptions of access barriers and therapists' adaptations during a pandemic, not efficacy outcomes. The finding that therapists triaged employed patients reflects a service management strategy, not evidence that this approach improves return-to-work rates.