Michael J. Millington

Analysis and Interpretation of Findings Using Multiple Regression Techniques

Multiple regression and correlation (MRC) methods form a flexible family of statistical techniques that can address a wide variety of different types of research questions of interest to rehabilitation professionals. In this article, we review basic concepts and terms, with an emphasis on interpretation of findings relevant to research questions of interest to rehabilitation researchers. To assist readers in using MRC effectively, we review common analytical models (e.g., mediator and moderator tests) and recent thinking on topics such as interpretation of effect sizes and power analysis.

Validity and the Employment Expectation Questionnaire: Do Disability-Related Attitudes Affect Employment Selection Outcomes?.

This article considers the validity of the Employment Expectation Questionnaire (beta version; EEQ-B) from construct-, content-, and criterion-related perspectives. Experimental and nonexperimental designs were incorporated into this study to address the following two research questions: Does the EEQ-B model predict worker satisfactoriness? and Are disability label-related biases identified in the EEQ-B related to differential judgments of worker satisfactoriness? A convenience sample of 316 students was analyzed. Results indicate that the factors of the EEQ-B accounted for 33% of the variance in predicting worker satisfactoriness and that people with cognitive disability labels were rated significantly higher than other groups. The authors contend that this supports the construct- and criterion-related validity assumptions of the instrument, and they suggest directions for further efforts at validation and related attitude research.

The brain injury case management taxonomy (BICM-T); a classification of community-based case management interventions for a common language.

BACKGROUND Case management is a complex intervention. Complexity arises from the interaction of different components: the model (theoretical basis), implementation context (service), population and health condition, focus for the intervention (client and/or their family), case managers actions (interventions) and the target of case management (integrated care and support, clients community participation). There is a lack of understanding and a common language. To our knowledge there is no classification (taxonomy) for community-based case management. OBJECTIVE To develop a community-based case management in brain injury taxonomy (BICM-T), as a common language and understanding of case management for use in quality analysis, policy, planning and practice. METHODS The mixed qualitative methods used multiple sources of knowledge including scoping, framing and a nominal group technique to iteratively develop the Beta version (draft) of the taxonomy. A two part developmental evaluation involving case studies and mapping to international frameworks assessed the applicability and acceptability (feasibility) before finalization of the BICM-T. RESULTS The BICM-T includes a definition of community-based case management, taxonomy trees, tables and a glossary. The interventions domain tree has 9 main actions (parent category): engagement, holistic assessment, planning, education, training and skills development, emotional and motivational support, advising, coordination, monitoring; 17 linked actions (children category); 8 related actions; 63 relevant terms defined in the glossary. CONCLUSIONS The BICM-T provides a knowledge map with the definitions and relationships between the core actions (interventions domain). Use of the taxonomy as a common language will benefit practice, quality analysis, evaluation, policy, planning and resource allocation.

A Microeconomic Model of the Personnel Shortage in Rehabilitation

High unemployment persists among individuals with disabilities in part due to problems with job retention (Gibbs, 1990; Kirsch, 2000; Louis Harris and Associates, 2000). A contributor to the problem may be the lack of academic training offered by rehabilitation counseling programs on organizational behavior and socialization concepts relevant to new employee integration (Jenkins & Strauser, 1999; Murphy & Foreman, 1993). This article argues for the infusion of organizational behavior and socialization into the rehabilitation counseling curriculum. Presented is a Workplace Socialization (WPS) model that entails 10 training modules of organizational behavior and socialization within the context of employment services. Rehabilitation counselor educators are encouraged to consider adopting content from the modules into the academic preparation of rehabilitation counseling students.

A Microeconomic Model of the Personnel Shortage in Public Rehabilitation Agencies.

There is a well-documented, growing shortage of rehabilitation counseling professionals in the public sector. Using microeconomics principles, a theoretical model is offered to account for the personnel shortage and propose potential solutions to recruit and retain rehabilitation counselors in the public sector. Suggestions for rehabilitation counseling educators’ involvement in the recruitment and retention process are provided.

What is Case Management? A Scoping and Mapping Review

The description of case management in research and clinical practice is highly variable which impedes quality analysis, policy and planning. Case management makes a unique contribution towards the integration of health care, social services and other sector services and supports for people with complex health conditions. There are multiple components and variations of case management depending on the context and client population. This paper aims to scope and map case management in the literature to identify how case management is described in the literature for key complex health conditions (e.g., brain injury, diabetes, mental health, spinal cord injury). Following literature searches in multiple databases, grey literature and exclusion by health condition, community-based and adequate description, there were 661 potential papers for data extraction. Data from 79 papers (1988–2013) were analysed to the point of saturation (no new information) and mapped to the model, components and activities. The results included 22 definitions, five models, with 69 activities or tasks of case managers mapped to 17 key components (interventions). The results confirm the significant terminological variance in case management which produces role confusion, ambiguity and hinders comparability across different health conditions and contexts. There is an urgent need for an internationally agreed taxonomy for the coordination, navigation and management of care.

The Evidentiary Basis for Supported Employment Practice for Workers with Schizophrenia: A Thematic Analysis

The authors have conducted a thematic review of the literature on the evidence of, and enquiry into, individualized placement and support (IPS) efficacy as an intervention for people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders. Eight studies were identified that met all inclusion criteria. Explicit themes in the research included (a) investigation of the impact of schizophrenia sequelae on IPS efficacy and the differential impact of neurocognitive enhancement therapy in minimizing psychiatric symptoms and improving IPS outcomes and (b) IPS as an alternative to treatment-as-usual in different age demographics (older and younger clients). Implicit themes coalesced around a general theme of dealing with change, in practice and research, that implementing IPS implies. Each theme represents a challenge or confound to the research corpus and included (a) vaguely defined rationale for the issue of return on investment, (b) practical burden of overstressed and unprepared service structures, (c) diffuse outcome measures, (d) poor attention to IPS fidelity, and (e) lack of standard practice assigned to control groups identified as “treatment as usual.” Seeing confounds as directions for improvement, these early studies open an important dialogue on best practice research in IPS application with workers with schizophrenia.

Planning strategies in disability management

Successful disability management practice is a systemic approach to vocational rehabilitation that begins with planning at the organizational level. A strategic planning format is used to outline the basic tenets of planning and, through its description, describe the unique approach to workplace intervention disability management has to offer. A case study is used to illustrate a simple application of planning steps of needs assessment, establishing goals and objectives, and developing disability management strategies.

The Many Stakeholders in Return to Work

Return to work has become an increasingly important consideration in TBI rehabilitation. However, most of the efforts in return to work centers around client deficits and treatment with little attention paid to the larger context of the world of work. This article examines the agendas of other players in the world of work and the interplay of these agendas that influence successful outcomes in return to work.

Remembering Community Inclusion: Stories from the Life of Jack Eldon Baker

Jack Eldon Baker was born, lived, and died in Gilbert, Arkansas. The story of his life is retold in excerpts from a memorial publication published by the people of the town. This article also makes the case that his story is an example of community inclusion. Through the voices of those who knew him, we see Jack as a person who gave to the community according to his talents and was supported by the community according to his needs. Although our social services system would have identified him as a person with a significant developmental disability, neither Jack nor his community found such labels meaningful. The importance of Jacks contribution to his town and the implications for the rehabilitation counseling profession are discussed.