OBJECTIVETo assess the factors that influence burn patients' perception in returning to work after discharge.

METHODSTwenty-four patients hospitalized from March 1, 2007 to February 28, 2009, older than 18 years, and with total burn surface area equal to or more than 10% TBSA were enrolled in the study. Data of physical and psychological health status (PPH) of in-patients including hand function, simple function abilities, heat sensitivity, treatment antipathy, body image, sexuality, interpersonal relationships, affect, and perception in returning to work at discharge and 3 and 6 months after discharge were collected using the brief version of Burns Specific Health Scale in the form of questionnaire, which were analyzed coordinately. The correlation between returning to work and demographic data of patients were analyzed too. Data were processed with t test or Pearson correlation test.

RESULTSRespectively 19 and 16 valid questionnaires were sent back 3 and 6 months after discharge. No statistical difference was found between at discharge and 3 months after discharge in each item concerning PPH of patients (with t values from -4.87 to -2.16, P values all above 0.05). The perception of returning to work scored significantly higher 6 months after discharge than at discharge [(9 ± 5) score vs. (6 ± 3) score, t = -4.87, P < 0.001], which was positively correlated with affect, treatment antipathy, body image, and heat sensitivity (with r value respectively 0.9256, 0.8891, 0.7502, 0.6022, P values all below 0.05), and negatively correlated with length of stay, total burn surface area, and amount of workers compensation (with r value respectively -0.7000, -0.6844, -0.8003, P values all below 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPatients' perception in returning to work is correlated with heat sensitivity, treatment antipathy, body image, affect, length of stay, total burn surface area, and amount workers compensation. Health professionals need to provide patients with ongoing education and necessary information to help them return to work.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Burns ; psychology ; rehabilitation ; Employment ; Female ; Health Status ; Health Status Indicators ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Psychological Tests ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult