CHANGES IN EMPLOYMENT STATUS ASSOCIATED WITH HOSPITALIZATION FOR TUBERCULOSIS .1. ANALYSIS OF 163 CONSECUTIVELY ADMITTED MALES

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Abstract
This study consists of an analysis of 163 males consecutively admitted to the Suburban Cook County Tuberculosis Hospital. They represented the total male admissions for a 12-month period, exclusive of those patients younger than 15 years and those who were hospitalized less than 6 weeks. All were interviewed shortly after admission to determine their occupational status prior to admission, and were followed up until their first post-hospitilization occupational experience. The results of this study revealed that, of the 144 discharged patients who remained in the jurisdiction of the sanatorium district, only 40% returned to their former jobs, while 60% faced socioeconomic problems. This 60% consisted of 28% who were unemployed or who changed jobs and 32% who were disabled or who retired. The fact that the majority of the men faced socioeconomic problems demonstrated the need for appropriate vocational rehabilitation services. It was recommended that the group which consisted of disabled or retired men be offered the services of a sheltered workshop, and the group which consisted of patients who were unemployed or who changed jobs be provided with vocational guidance and job placement assistance. The findings of this study cannot be expected to be identical in other hospitals. However, if these conclusions are valid for this study, which involved patients who were a fair cross-section of this community and who were treated in a modern hospital with a progressive medical and rehabilitation program, they merit consideration for other tuberculosis treatment facilities.

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