On prediction of vocational rehabilitation outcome at a Swedish employability institute

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this investigation was to identify a set of variables usable in early outcome prediction of vocational rehabilitation. DESIGN: On commencement of rehabilitation at an employability institute, data were sampled using structured interviews and checklists. Two years later the subjects were followed up by telephone interviews. SUBJECTS: The study sample was all unemployed with a somatic disorder as the cause of vocational disability, admitted from October 1995 to December 1996 (n = 149). Of these 109 (73%) agreed to participate. METHODS: Initially, data on demography, symptoms, expectations/beliefs about future capacity for gainful employment and sense of coherence (as an indicator of coping resources) were sampled. At follow-up the subjects' vocational situations were recorded. RESULTS: At follow-up, 40% were working or employable. Among the about 30 variables included, logistic regression showed that having a relatively high belief in vocational return (odds ratio, OR: 4.6, CI: 1.4-15.4), having a relatively high sense of coherence (OR: 3.5, CI: 1.5-8.4) and having a relatively high educational level (OR: 2.6, CI: 1.1-6.3) were significant predictors of positive outcome. CONCLUSION: In this sample, socio-psychological and educational aspects were far more predictive of outcome than were medical circumstances.