Return-to-work and rehabilitation needs in cardiac arrest survivors: an exploratory cross-sectional study

Patient-reported return-to-work and job functioning 6 and 12 months after hospital discharge and received rehabilitation interventions and unmet rehabilitation needs were explored in a consecutive population of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors. Patients working prior to cardiac arrest were invited to participate in a telephone administered survey. Thirty-eight surveys were conducted and included for analysis, equivalent to a minimum response rate of 95%. Survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest had extensive challenges returning to work. Six- and 12-months post-arrest, 58% and 45% were respectively on full time sick leave or working notably less (>10 h/week) and with extensive unmet rehabilitation needs.