Using the narratives of Ontarians with a work-related traumatic brain injury to inform injury prevention: A mixed methods approach.

BACKGROUND: Work-related traumatic brain injury (wrTBI) is the most significant occupational injury associated with death and disability. Few studies have investigated injury text narratives to inform prevention strategies.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors leading to wrTBI in male and female workers utilizing the Person-Environment-Occupation (P-E-O) framework.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review of the medical records of 98 consecutive Ontario workers with a diagnosed wrTBI was performed. Sociodemographic, occupational, injury-related, clinical, and environmental data were collected from medical assessments and insurers' files. A mixed methods approach was employed to analyse the data.

RESULTS: Five occupational hazard themes emerged from the injury narratives: unexplained person factor, action by co-worker, external environment, safety measures, and equipment malfunction. Male workers were more likely than female workers to experience a wrTBI due to an equipment breakdown or malfunction. Statistically significant sex differences were observed across P-E-O factors.

CONCLUSION: Efforts directed at identifying and remedying various injury patterns are necessary for the development of brain injury primary prevention recommendations, to reduce the prevalence of these vastly impactful incidents.