Influence of Some Psychological and Social Aspects on Willingness to Return to Occupational Activity of Patients after Lumbar and Cervical Discectomy

Abstract

Background. Spine disorders are a common social problem and they often influence basic functioning in society. Symptoms, disability as well as individual aspects determine patients attitude towards return to professional activity. It is especially important for nurses who motivate patients after surgery to return to social roles.
Aim. Analysis of influence of individuality types, social factors and motives to return to professional activity after surgery of lumbar and cervical spine.
Material and methods. 54 patients from department of neurosurgery of 10 Military Hospital in Bydgoszcz, operated on because of a lumbar and cervical discopathy from March to April in 2011 were included in the examination. Age, sex, education, type of work, fact of providing for other people, motivation and individuality type were analysed. In the examined group there were 31 (57%) people operated on because of a lumbar discopathy whereas 23 (43%) people because of a cervical discopathy. Questionnaires of individual type METI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) and survey questionnaire created for work needs were used.
Results. Willingness to return to work was declared by more patients after lumbar discectomy. Also the results of findings showed that the examined group which declared stronger desire to return to professional activity are men, better educated, doing intellectual demanding jobs and those providing for family. Taking into consideration psychological profiles it was observed that the stronger desire to return to work declared extraverts, sensualists and perceptionists.
Conlusions. Patients’ attitude towards return to work depends on individuality type, age, sex, type of work and family situation. (PNN 2012;1(2):65-69)