Factors affecting vocational outcomes of people with chronic illness participating in a supported competitive open employment program in Hong Kong

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the ability of the Patient Retraining and Vocational Resettlement (PRAVR) program to enhance the vocational outcomes of individuals with chronic illness, and to study the socio-demographic factors associated with successful vocational outcome.

Study design: A retrospective study of 548 individuals with various types of chronic illness who enrolled in the program between 1995 and 2003. Their socio-demographic data and their employment outcome after a six-month job skills retraining and job settlement service were collected for analysis.

Results: The program was found to enhance the vocational outcomes of patients who completed the program. Logistic regression identified significant factors predicting successful vocational outcomes. For the male patients, the chances of employment were higher if the onset of illness had occurred at least 10 years before (odd ratios = 0.326). For the female patients, the chances of employment were higher if they had been unemployed for less than 1 year (odd ratio = 3.8).

Conclusions: The PRAVR program is able to enhance the vocational outcomes of people with chronic illness in Hong Kong. The factors which were found to relate to successful employment were unique to the local situation. Further studies should explore these factors in a more in-depth manner.