Return to Work Pathways Following Injury in Road Traffic Crashes: A Retrospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES: To determine: 1) different return to work (RTW) pathways among road traffic crash (RTC) survivors; 2) RTW differences between RTC and workers' compensation schemes, and; 3) factors associated with relapse and attempting graduated RTW. METHODS: Administrative income support data from RTC survivors with compensated work absence in Victoria, Australia were arranged as daily income payments, pattern recognition determined RTW pathways. Multivariable logistic regression showed odds of relapse or attempting graduated RTW by covariate. RESULTS: Most had successful RTWs without relapse (66.7% full, 7.2% graduated), 22% relapsed at least once, and 17% attempted gradual RTW. Sex, injury type, length of hospital stay, road user group, and compensation scheme were associated with relapse and graduated RTW attempt likelihood. CONCLUSIONS: Results help identify people likely to benefit from RTW interventions, such as programs that incentivise graduated RTW.