ARTICLE
Volume 10,Issue 7
30 April 2026
Research Advances in Return-to-Work Readiness Among Young and Middle-Aged Hospitalized Patients: A Review
Wenxin Li ,
Huiru Wang ,
Wenjie Wang
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1
Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, Hubei, China,
2
Nursing Department, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, Hubei, China,
JCNR 2026 , 10(4), 134–143;
https://doi.org/10.26689/jcnr.v10i4.14334
© 2026 by the Authors. Licensee Whioce Publishing, Singapore. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Abstract
This review synthesizes current evidence on return-to-work (RTW) readiness among young and middleaged adults hospitalized for acute or chronic conditions. We clarify the conceptual foundations of RTW readiness, critically evaluate existing assessment instruments, including their psychometric properties and clinical applicability, and delineate the multilevel determinants shaping readiness: disease-related factors, individual attributes, workplace characteristics, and sociocultural supports. This study further assess the empirical basis and implementation feasibility of prevailing interventions, namely, integrated vocational rehabilitation, cognitive-behavioral support, and conditionspecific health literacy programs. While substantial progress has been made in identifying correlates of RTW readiness, critical gaps persist in longitudinal measurement, cross-cultural validation of tools, and theory-driven, scalable interventions. This synthesis aims to inform evidence-based practice and policy aimed at strengthening sustainable RTW outcomes in this high-need population.
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