Factors affecting employment after burn injury in the United States: A burn model system national database investigation

Model System:

Burn

Reference Type:

Journal article

Accession No.:

J82943

Journal:

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2020 , 101, 1, Supplement 1, S71-S85

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study investigated the effect of patient and injury characteristics on employment for working-age, adult survivors of burn injury using the multicenter Burn Model System National Longitudinal Database. A total of 967 adult burn survivors with known employment status prior to injury were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was employment status at 12 months after injury. The analyses determined that those employed preinjury had higher odds of being employed. White, non-Hispanic individuals were also more likely to be employed. Older individuals, females, those with longer hospitalizations, amputation during the acute hospitalization, and those with high pain interference at hospital discharge had lower odds of working after injury. Preinjury living situation, preinjury alcohol and drug misuse, number of acute operations, and burn size were not significant predictors of employment status at 12 months after burn injury. Preinjury employment remains the most significant predictor for postburn employment. Although past reports have focused on predictors for postburn employment, future research needs to seek greater understanding of modifiable risk factors for unemployment and examine issues related to work retention, performance, accommodations, and career trajectories for the working-age survivor of burn injury

Author(s):