Differential vocational rehabilitation service patterns related to the job retention and job placement needs of people with diabetes

BACKGROUND: It is clear that the chronic progression of diabetes, as well as other socio-environmental factors, act as barriers to individuals seeking to maintain employment. Long-term employment outcomes of people with diabetes can be improved by providing customized interventions to help individuals retain their current employment. OBJECTIVE: This investigation examined differential vocational rehabilitation (VR) service patterns between two groups of clients with diabetes, those who were employed at the time of application and those who were unemployed. METHODS: Quantitative descriptive research design using multiple discriminant analysis (MDS). Participants included 5,427 individuals with diabetes whose VR cases were closed in Fiscal Year 2011. RESULTS: MDS revealed that the employed applicants group had higher propensities than the unemployed applicants group to receive assessment, diagnosis and treatment, counseling and guidance, rehabilitation technology, and on-the-job supports as part of the VR process. The unemployed applicants group had higher propensities to receive occupational/vocational training, job readiness, job placement, and other services. CONCLUSION: These differential service patterns suggest that the client's employment status at the inception of his or her VR program is taken into close consideration during the case planning and goal-setting phases of the VR process. Implications for future research and VR service delivery are discussed.