Which question best reflects vocational history?

• A. Whether the patient is currently employed or unemployed, and their occupational goals
• B. Their favorite vacation spot
• C. Their preferred music genre
• D. Whether they own a car

Answer: (C)

Vocational history focuses on a person’s work life—current employment status, past work experiences, and future occupational goals. A question about whether the patient is currently employed or unemployed and what their occupational goals are directly captures that area. This information is essential for rehabilitation planning: it informs what accommodations might be needed, what training or job supports could help, and what realistic paths toward work or career change to pursue. It also helps set timelines for return-to-work or transitions and measures progress toward those goals. Other questions, like favorite vacation spots, preferred music, or even car ownership, don’t reveal work history or future work plans, so they don’t reflect vocational history. If transportation becomes relevant to work, it can be explored later in the context of job needs, but it isn’t by itself a vocational history indicator.