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Barriers and facilitators to return to work post-acute orthopedic trauma in upper limbs: an integrative literature review1 1 This paper is part of the first author’s Course Conclusion Paper, presented at the Lato-Sensu Post-Graduation Course in Hand Therapy and Neurological Rehabilitation in Occupational Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos, as a partial requirement for completion of the course.

Abstract

Introduction

Traumatic upper limb injuries often lead to work disability. Ensuring the maintenance of the worker occupational role is a goal for occupational therapists in occupational health, using prevention and rehabilitation techniques. Therefore, it is important to know the factors that influence return to work.

Objective

To document evidence of barriers and facilitators elements of return to work after acute upper limb trauma.

Method

A review study using the integrative review approach. The search included Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), Scielo, Lilacs, Periódicos Capes and Pubmed databases. Articles that mentioned a return to work and upper limb trauma in their abstract, published between 2005 and 2015 and written in Portuguese, English or Spanish, were also used.

Results

The final sample consists of 13 articles, after qualitative analysis the results were grouped into four categories: Patient, Injury, Rehabilitation, and Work. Injury severity, hospitalization time, number of surgical procedures, insertion in a rehabilitation program, work-related rehabilitation, family and workplace support were the main elements identified.

Conclusion

The rehabilitation program should be integrated and multidisciplinary with actions aimed at pain management, functional recovery, and preparation for a return to work. Support family member and whenever possible work environment should be considered within the vocational rehabilitation program to ensure the return to work.

Keywords:
Hand Injuries; Return to Work; Vocational Rehabilitation

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