Return to work services rendered for patients at stroke rehabilitation facilities in Gauteng Province, South Africa

Background: Stroke survivors have lower quality of life than their apparently healthy counterparts and returning to work may contribute to their life satisfaction. The potential for people to return to work following stroke may be enhanced by targeted programmes or directed input, however little is known about the availability of such programmes in South Africa. The aim of this study was to establish current practice in return to work (RTW) intervention programmes for patients with stroke. Method: A cross sectional survey was performed using a self administered questionnaire which was posted with an information document to 53 stroke rehabilitation facilities within the Gauteng province in South Africa and 36 facilities responded. Results: Seventeen of the 36 clinical settings referred patients to facilities offering RTW services; 12 facilities did not refer patients for RTW and did not offer RTW services and seven facilities offered RTW services. Of the seven facilities that rendered post stroke RTW services five communicated with the employer to discuss reasonable accommodation and four did assessments for potential to return to work. The most common reason given by the 29 facilities for not offering RTW services was that they referred patients to other therapists who offered these services. The second most common reason was the unemployment status of the patient at the time of having stroke. Conclusion: A small number of clinical facilities in the Gauteng province of South Africa assess their patients in order to establish potential for return to work after stroke and a small number of clinical facilities render RTW intervention for patients with stroke.