Non-physical factors that impact return to work in individuals with upper extremity injuries: A scoping review

Article type: Review Article

Authors: Gerg, Michael J.^{a; b; c; *} | Hazak, Kristin M.^{b; d} | Carrie, Brittany R.^b | Melendez, Naomi^b | Jewell, Vanessa D.^{e; f}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Creighton University, Phoenix, AZ, USA | [b] Department of Occupational Therapy, Arizona School of Health Sciences, A. T. Still University, Mesa, AZ, USA | [c] Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Education Human and Health Sciences, Bay Path University, Longmeadow, MA, USA | [d] Department of Rehabilitation Services, Arizona Burn Center, Valleywise Health, Phoenix, AZ, USA | [e] Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA | [f] Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Michael J. Gerg, School of Education Human and Health Sciences, Bay Path University, Longmeadow, MA, USA. Tel.: +1 610 304 2710; E-mail: mgerg@baypath.edu.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Upper extremity injuries may prevent adults from returning to work, impacting productivity, and engagement in meaningful employment. OBJECTIVE:The scoping review identified various non-physical factors that impact return to work (RTW) after an upper extremity injury. METHODS:Database searches included: CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The authors further hand searched the journals Work and The Journal of Hand Therapy. Inclusion criteria included articles published in English, published from 2000–2020, and addressed the following topics: upper extremity injury, the client’s psychosocial perceptions of the injury, and return to work. RESULTS:After title and abstract review, 9 studies were identified for full-text review that examined various patterns related to non-physical factors that impact RTW. Three themes emerged from the full-text reviews including client self-efficacy, social determinants of health, and the need for holistic intervention approaches. CONCLUSIONS:Practitioners involved in the rehabilitation of working age clients with upper extremity injuries should remain cognizant of the non-physical factors that can impact return to work and incorporate holistic approaches like monitoring and addressing self-efficacy, psychosocial well-being, and social determinants of health into clinical practice.

Keywords: Hand therapy, occupational therapy, psychosocial rehabilitation, employment, work

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211059

Journal: Work, vol. 73, no. 1, pp. 93-106, 2022