Skip to content
DraconiticResearch
Search Sources API
186,086 studies31 sourcesUpdated 45 min ago
Peer-reviewedCC BYEmergency medicine Australasia : EMA

Predictors of Return to Work Following Major Trauma in New Zealand

  • Duncan Finlayson1
  • Sarah Logan2
  • Daniel Jemberie2
  • Nikita Quinn2
  • Laura R Joyce1,3
  • Christopher Wakeman2,3
  • Andrew McCombie1,2,3
  1. 1Emergency Department, Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
  2. 2Department of Surgery, Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
  3. 3Department of Surgery and Critical Care, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Read full textPDFDOICite

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to identify physical and psychological predictors of return to work (RTW) in a cohort of major trauma patients in New Zealand.Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Christchurch Hospital involving patients identified from the New Zealand Major Trauma Registry. Full-time workers (n = 130) who sustained major trauma between 2016 and 2020 completed self-reported questionnaires assessing post-injury work capacity, PTSD (PCL-5), anxiety and depression (HADS) and perceived social support (MSPSS). Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to determine predictors of decreased RTW following injury.Results

Older age, longer hospital length of stay (LOS) and ICU admission were all significantly associated with decreased RTW in the univariable analysis. Probable anxiety and depression were also significantly associated with decreased RTW, while meeting PTSD thresholds did not yield a significant association. In the final multivariable analysis, older age (OR 1.08, p < 0.01), longer LOS (OR 1.04, p = 0.048) and those with probable depression (OR 5.29, p = 0.01) were significantly associated with decreased RTW.Conclusions

Probable depression is a strong, independent psychological predictor of reduced RTW following major trauma. These findings highlight the need for integrated post-trauma care models that incorporate routine psychological screening and early intervention to address both the physical and psychological needs of patients suffering from major trauma.

Related

  1. Radiographic union rate and predictors of nonunion after primary surgical implant generation network intramedullary nailing for open tibial shaft fractures at a major trauma center in Ethiopia
    Solomon Almaw Enquahone, Ashenafi Negash Tekle, Samuel Workineh Assefa +4
    OTA international : the open access journal of orthopaedic traumaPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDFull textEpidemiology & public healthSurgery & anaesthesiaEurope PMC
  2. Evaluation of an AI-Assisted Virtual Fracture Clinic System: Common Referral Deficiencies and Outcomes Following Automated Feedback in a Major Trauma Centre.
    Wern Y Ooi
    CureusPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textEpidemiology & public healthEurope PMC
  3. Predictors of concussion management pathway adherence in New Zealand community rugby: A prospective cohort study
    Danielle M. Salmon, Janelle Romanchuk, Marelise Badenhorst +7
    JSAMS plusPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMC
  4. Diabetes‐Related Foot Disease as the Principal Reason for Hospital Admission: 5 Years of Data From a Major Tertiary Hospital in Aotearoa New Zealand
    Michele Garrett, Rinki Murphy, Arier Lee +2
    Journal of foot and ankle researchPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMC
  5. Force Plate Based Assessment of Maximal and Rapid Isometric Shoulder Strength During the Return-to-Sport Process After Pectoralis Major Repair in a World-Class Female Wrestler: A Case Report
    International journal of sports physical therapyPeer-reviewedCC BY-NCFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMC

Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{finlayson2026predictors,
  title = {{Predictors of Return to Work Following Major Trauma in New Zealand}},
  author = {Duncan Finlayson and Sarah Logan and Daniel Jemberie and Nikita Quinn and Laura R Joyce and Christopher Wakeman and Andrew McCombie},
  journal = {Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1111/1742-6723.70382},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13717470},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Predictors of Return to Work Following Major Trauma in New Zealand
AU  - Duncan Finlayson
AU  - Sarah Logan
AU  - Daniel Jemberie
AU  - Nikita Quinn
AU  - Laura R Joyce
AU  - Christopher Wakeman
AU  - Andrew McCombie
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/29
JO  - Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA
DO  - 10.1111/1742-6723.70382
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13717470
AB  - Objective  This study aimed to identify physical and psychological predictors of return to work (RTW) in a cohort of major trauma patients in New Zealand.Methods  A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Christchurch Hospital involving patients identified from the New Zealand Major Trauma Registry. Full-time workers (n = 130) who sustained major trauma between 2016 and 2020 completed self-reported questionnaires assessing post-injury work capacity, PTSD (PCL-5), anxiety and depression (HADS) and perceived social support (MSPSS). Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to determine predictors of decreased RTW following injury.Results  Older age, longer hospital length of stay (LOS) and ICU admission were all significantly associated with decreased RTW in the univariable analysis. Probable anxiety and depression were also significantly associated with decreased RTW, while meeting PTSD thresholds did not yield a significant association. In the final multivariable analysis, older age (OR 1.08, p < 0.01), longer LOS (OR 1.04, p = 0.048) and those with probable depression (OR 5.29, p = 0.01) were significantly associated with decreased RTW.Conclusions  Probable depression is a strong, independent psychological predictor of reduced RTW following major trauma. These findings highlight the need for integrated post-trauma care models that incorporate routine psychological screening and early intervention to address both the physical and psychological needs of patients suffering from major trauma.
SN  - 1742-6731
SN  - 1742-6723
ER  -