Vocational outcomes of state vocational rehabilitation clients with traumatic brain injury: a review of the Missouri Model Brain Injury System Studies

Abstract

Although there is considerable research on the vocational outcomes of individuals with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), there has been minimal research on the characteristics of persons with TBI who seek services from state vocational rehabilitation services. Such research is deemed critical given the significant number of individuals who request such services, as well as the significant federal and state costs associated with these programs. The current article reviews a series of studies completed collaboratively between the University of Missouri-Columbia and Missouri Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). Information is reported regarding the typical demographic, injury severity, and neuropsychological characteristics of DVR clients with TBI, as well as the most common DVR services provided to them and their vocational outcomes (i.e., successful, unsuccessful). Studies are reviewed which indicate that the provision of specific DVR services predict successful vocational outcomes, although traditional medical and neuropsychological variables do not. Additional studies are reviewed which examine the impact of gender, race, age, geographic location (i.e., rural vs. urban), and concomitant disabilities on vocational outcomes. Results indicate the importance of considering environmental and social factors when providing vocational rehabilitation services to clients with TBI, and that specific DVR services can lead to successful vocational outcomes regardless of TBI severity. Implications for future clinical services and research are presented.