There’s no cure for brain injury: work-related stress in brain injury rehabilitation professionals

Objective: To explore the experience of work-related stress in brain injury professionals and to identify the contributing factors to work-related stress.

Methods: 17 brain injury professionals participated in one-time interviews conducted either in person or utilising video conferencing. The data were analysed utilising a Grounded Theory approach.

Results: Participants reported that working in brain injury rehabilitation is difficult due to the complex and unpredictable nature of brain injury. The impact of limited funding and resources was endorsed by all participants as the most stressful aspect of working in this field. Emotional experiences associated with treating survivors and organisational factors increase the risk for work-related stress. Brain injury professionals rely on support provided by coworkers and supervisors.

Conclusion: This study provides a deeper understanding of work-related stress and challenges of working in the brain injury rehabilitation field, as well as appreciation for the personal and organisational strategies that may help to offset stress. The unpredictable nature of working in brain injury rehabilitation impacted professionals at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice. Overall, it was apparent that the participants interviewed were highly resilient individuals, demonstrating acceptance and flexibility in the limitations they face working in the field of brain injury rehabilitation.