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Trajectory and predictors of return-to-work outcomes for people after a road trac injury: A prospective cohort study
Research Square, Vol.21 December 2025
Research Square Company
2025
Abstract
Identifying factors inuencing work after road trac injuries (RTI) is important for developing early and appropriate interventions. Purpose: This study aimed to quantify vocational outcomes up to 12 months after RTIs; to explore Return to work (RTW) trajectories over this period; and to identify predictors of RTW status and disability days at baseline, 6, and 12 months post-RTI. Methods: Individuals aged 18 to 64 years with mild to serious RTI presenting to two Australian public hospital emergency departments were recruited. Exclusions were severe injury and not being in paid employment pre-injury. Assessment occurred at baseline, six months, and 12 months post-RTI. Results: Sixty-three participants completed the baseline survey. By 12 months, 88% had returned to work, mostly with work modications, while 13% experienced at least one RTW failure. Mean disability days were 48 (SD= 93). Predictors of RTW at baseline were lower injury severity, less pain/disability, and younger age (R²=0.65, p<0.05); at 6 months, being a casual/part-time employee (R 2 = 0.2, p<0.05) and at 12 months, higher pre-injury income (R 2 = 0.25, p<0.05). Predictors of more disability days at baseline included being male, hospital admission, greater injury severity, greater disability, lodging a compensation claim, and higher distress from intrusion (R 2 = 0.53, p<0.05); at 6 months, older age and lower RTW self-ecacy (R 2 = 0.18, p<0.05); and at 12 months, older age, lower level of education, greater injury severity, and casual/part-time pre-injury employment (R 2 = 0.29, p<0.05). Conclusions: RTW after RTI is a dynamic, staged process. Early outcomes are primarily health-related, whereas 6–12-month outcomes are shaped by psychosocial factors. Sustained RTW often requires work modications, underscoring the need for coordinated, systems-based rehabilitation strategies.
Details
- Title
- Trajectory and predictors of return-to-work outcomes for people after a road trac injury: A prospective cohort study
- Authors
- Masoumeh Abedi (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine CoastTammy Aplin - The University of QueenslandElise Gane - The University of QueenslandVenerina Johnston - University of Southern Queensland
- Publication details
- Research Square, Vol.21 December 2025
- Publisher
- Research Square Company
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8246087/v1
- ISSN
- 2693-5015
- Copyright note
- This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License
- Grant note
- The University of Queensland Research Training Scholarship. The project received funding from the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC).
- Organisation Unit
- Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991200750002621
- Output Type
- Preprint
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