How Successful are We at Getting our Clients Back to Work? The Results of an Audit

Abstract

Because of changes in clinical practice, it became evident within a rehabilitation unit that there was a need to try to address employment issues with clients in a coordinated multiagency manner. A project was therefore set up in 2000 to develop guidelines in order to assist clients in returning to work. This article describes a retrospective audit, which was carried out in this rehabilitation unit for adults aged 16–65 years who had either a neurological or a rheumatoid problem. The guidelines were used to record and collect data on clients who were receiving occupational therapy between March 2000 and May 2001 and had expressed a wish to look at employment issues. Information from occupational therapy notes and a follow-up phone call to one client were also used to collect data. The audit highlighted several areas where the process had not been successful. However, it did show that when a coordinated multiagency team is involved, a successful return to work can be achieved.