Factors affecting the satisfaction of people with disabilities in relation to vocational rehabilitation programs: A literature review

Experiences of participating in a vocational rehabilitation program in Singapore

PURPOSE

The purposes of this study were to (i) describe the lived experiences of participating in a Singaporean vocational rehabilitation (VR) program among individuals with stroke and spinal cord injury and (ii) identify salient features of the program that facilitated their return-to-work process.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a qualitative phenomenological study. Participants were invited to complete an interview about their return-to-work process after acquiring a disability vis-à-vis their participation in a local VR program. The qualitative data were analyzed inductively.

RESULTS

Twenty-four middle-aged participants with a stroke or spinal cord injury completed the interviews. The participants' experiences with the local VR program were largely positive. Several key features of the VR program were identified. These were: (i) providing a multi-disciplinary and individualized program; (ii) building positive collaborations between service providers and participants; and (iii) supporting personal growth among participants.

CONCLUSION

The Singaporean VR program demonstrated internationally recommended best practices. These best practices were beneficial for the participants' return-to-work process, as reflected by their positive feedback about the program. Our study emphasizes the need for comprehensive and evidence-based VR programs to meet the complex needs of individuals with disabilities who want to return to work.Implications for rehabilitationMulti- or inter-disciplinary care services are needed in vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs to support the complex return-to-work process of clients.VR programs should have the capacity to provide client-centered care as their clients may experience diverse, yet unique challenges during their return-to-work processVR service providers play a crucial role in engaging and motivating their clients throughout the program to achieve their return-to-work goalsVR service providers should address concurrent or future concerns that could impact on their clients' ability to return to or remain at work.

Telehealth Assessment in Rehabilitation Counseling During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Research has shown that using telehealth for rehabilitation assessment can be an effective approach. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns led to many rehabilitation counselors pivoting to telehealth assessment with their clients. This study explores rehabilitation counselors’ use of rehabilitation assessments and telehealth since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a mixed-methods approach, data from 41 rehabilitation counselors across Australia were analyzed. Participants were asked which measures they used prior to the pandemic, how their use of the measures changed during telehealth, and how their work changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales and the Occupational Search Inventory were the most commonly used tests. Theoretical analysis demonstrated that participants utilized tests based on their usefulness in comprehensive assessment and rehabilitation planning, for engaging the client in the assessment process, out of necessity (mandated tests), and due to attributes of the test the counselor valued. Participants described the impact of COVID-19 on assessment practice demonstrating that despite challenges to telehealth, there were also benefits and that assessment measures could be altered for use in telehealth. Although telehealth had an impact on how rehabilitation counselors provided assessments, many found ways to make it work at a distance.