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.