Barriers in the workplace among patients with spinal cord injury who completed vocational training from CRP

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify barriers in the workplace among patients with spinal cord injury who completed vocational training from CRP. Objectives: The objectives were to identify the barriers in the workplace among patients with spinal cord injury who completed vocational training from Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP). To find out the barriers faced during working. To gather suggestions from persons with SCI about workplace activity. Methodology: A qualitative study design was used to conduct the study where seven participants with spinal cord injury who completed vocational training from CRP selected by purposive sampling method. The data were collected by using a semi structured open ended questionnaire form and were analyzed through content analysis. Results: Out of seven male participants with SCI were enrolled at various time points who completed vocational training from CRP. Among seven participants the mean age was 40.57 (±14.15) years with age range 22-62 years. Most of the participants about were at the age group 22-62 years. Among the participants four were married and three participants were unmarried. Most of the participants about three participants were lived in nuclear family whereas four participants in extended family. Three participants lived in urban areas and four participants about lived in rural area. The educational level among the participants, two participants completed SSC level, four participants completed primary level and one participant completed Honors level. Before injury two participants were farmers, two participants were nonresidents, one participant was businessman, one participant was day labor and about one participant was student. All of them wear earned by themselves. Majority of the participant’s workplace distance 0.50 km. Emerging themes on the basis of content analysis, Seven major barriers were found these are participant have health and medical complications, transportation barriers, mobility aid related barriers, inaccessibility of workplace, disability discrimination, qualifications and working experience of participant and workplace modification related barriers. Conclusion: This study comprehends about the experienced barriers of the SCI towards their workplace. So, identification of these barriers will help to give emphasize on designing the overcoming strategy of those challenges. Key words: Spinal cord injury; Vocational training; Barriers in the workplace.