Work after stroke study (WASS)

Background

One out of five that suffer from stroke in Sweden are at working age [2], and globally that proportion is even larger]. Furthermore, the incidence of stroke in the younger population is increasing To be able to return to work (RTW) has showed to be important for life satisfaction and well-being after a stroke Furthermore, it is economically important for the society that the RTW is optimized, as indirect costs stands for 21% of the total costs after a stroke in Sweden.

This means that it should be of highest interest that the RTW after a stroke is optimized. To enable this, research is needed to map the RTW patterns and facilitators/barriers of RTW as well as the effects of RTW, as they are today. Aim

The overall aim of this thesis is to investigate RTW in persons having a stroke at working age. Questions to be answered are: Is it possible to continue to RTW after the first 1-2-years after stroke? What demographic, socio-economic and stroke-related factors can predict RTW? Will persons that reports planning of RTW have higher odds of actually RTW?

Is there a difference in self-perceived health aspects between those who are working and those who are not working after a stroke? Arbetsplan:

The four individual studies are observational cohort studies with mainly a long-term perspective, the follow-up times range between 18 months to 6-years. The study populations are local samples in Gothenburg (study 1 and study 2) or comprehensive national samples (study 3 and study 4) of persons with stroke at working age. As outcome measure in all studies, registers from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency are used to define RTW

Betydelse:

There is a lack of good quality studies on RTW after stroke. The results from this thesis will describe the normal RTW pattern, factors associated with RTW and factors that hinder. This will be the basis for a more evidence based vocational rehabilitation in the future. Also the Swedish Social Insurance Agency need to know what the facts are and not only political wishes on RTW.