scholarly journals Return to work rate rises in the Sunshine State (Queensland, Australia)

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Stratford
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Work Rate ◽  
Injured Workers ◽  
Work Outcomes ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Annual Survey ◽  
Work Outcome ◽  
State Records

Measuring return to work outcomes after injury is in itself a challenge for most workers’ compensation schemes. Increasing return to work rates is even more difficult. In Australia, the national return to work measure obtained via an annual survey of injured workers has not risen since its introduction in 1997/98. However, unlike most other Australian jurisdictions, Queensland, Australia's ‘sunshine state’, records return to work outcomes at the end of every time lost claim. More than this, Queensland has increased its overall return to work outcome in recent years from 90% to over 95%. A number of specific strategies were introduced to improve these return to work results. The presentation will outline these strategies which other jurisdictions and countries can hopefully learn from. In addition, WorkCover Queensland, the state's monopoly insurer outside self-insurers, has introduced further return to work measures it successfully uses both internally and externally.

scholarly journals Quality evaluation of workers’ compensation hospital in Korea

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jong-Uk Won
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Work Rate ◽  
Injured Workers ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Occupational Health Care

Background: The length of hospital stay among occupationally injured workers was too long comparing to national health insurance patients in Korea. Also return-to-work rate was low comparing to other countries. The Korea Workers’ Compensation & Welfare (COMWEL) has tried to upgrade the quality of care workers’ compensation contract hospitals since several years. One of the tries was to evaluate the workers’ compensation contract hospitals. However, many hospitals argued the appropriateness of the hospital evaluation.Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the appropriateness of the workers’ compensation contract hospital evaluation.Methods: The total number of 500 hospitals was selected to evaluate among about 5,500 contracts hospitals according to their size or the number of occupationally injured patients. The main evaluation items were hospital facilities and equipment, health personnel, including doctors, record keeping, appropriateness of hospital care, outcomes, including return-to-work, length of hospital stay, satisfaction, etc. Multiple logistic regression was performed to evaluate the appropriateness of the results of this hospital evaluation. The dependent variables were return-to-work rate and length of hospital stay and independent variables were severity of injured workers, disability rate, company size, etc.Results: The hospitals were classified three categories according to the evaluation score; high, middle, and low quality. The return-to-work rate of high-quality hospitals was significantly higher (odds ratio 1.81; CI 1.27 – 2.58) than others. However, the length of hospital stay was not different among them.Conclusion: Return-to-work rate is one of the useful indicators for evaluating the occupational health care. Even though these are preliminary results, this evaluation method for the occupational health care hospitals would be appropriate for the purpose. The more specific analysis should be needed.

The Reformed Californian Workers' Compensation System: Outcomes for Injured Workers

1999 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
Sandra Bentley
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
New South ◽  
Compensation System ◽  
Injured Workers ◽  
Work Outcomes ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Legislative Reform ◽  
South Wales

In a period of legislative reform, New South Wales' workers compensation stakeholders can learn at least broad lessons by making comparisons with the experience of other countries in post reform review. This article considers the overall impact of the 1993 reforms on the Californian workers' compensation system, with focus on reforms and outcomes in the Vocational Rehabilitation sector. It was found post reform that the number of claims and paid benefits have decreased substantially, and total premiums paid and Vocational Rehabilitation expenditures are down dramatically. However, the changes are blamed for an increase in legal complexity, as return-to work outcomes and post-injury earnings for injured workers appear to have worsened. Additionally benefit levels remain a continuing concern.

Return to Work After Primary Rotator Cuff Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652097542
Author(s):  
Eric D. Haunschild ◽  
Ron Gilat ◽  
Ophelie Lavoie-Gagne ◽  
Michael C. Fu ◽  
Tracy Tauro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Rotator Cuff ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Rotator Cuff Repair ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Work Outcomes ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Work Intensity ◽  
Rates Of Return ◽  
Cuff Repair

Background: Rotator cuff tears are a prevalent pathology in injured workers, causing significant economic ramifications and time away from work. To date, published articles on work outcomes after rotator cuff repair have not been cumulatively assessed and analyzed. Purpose: To systematically review reports on return to work after rotator cuff repair and perform a meta-analysis on factors associated with improved work outcomes. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A systematic review of return-to-work investigations was performed using PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Individual studies reporting rates of return to previous work with level of evidence 1 to 4 were independently screened by 2 authors for inclusion, and study quality was assessed using the Methodologic Index for Non-randomized Studies and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Work outcome data were synthesized and analyzed using random effects modeling to identify differences in rates of return to previous work as a function of operative technique, work intensity, and workers’ compensation status. Results: Thirteen retrospective investigations comprising 1224 patients who underwent rotator cuff repair met inclusion criteria for this investigation. Across all investigations, a weighted average of 62.3% of patients returned to previous level of work at 8.15 ± 2.7 months (mean ± SD) after surgery. Based on random effects modeling, higher rates of return to previous work were identified with decreasing work intensity ( P < .001), while rates were similar between open and arthroscopic repair technique ( P = .418) and between workers’ compensation and non–workers’ compensation cohorts ( P = .089). All shoulder pain and functional outcome assessments demonstrated significant improvements at final follow-up when compared with baseline across all investigations. Conclusion: The majority of injured workers undergoing rotator cuff repair return to previous work at approximately 8 months after surgery. Despite this, >35% of patients are unable to return to their previous work level after their repair procedure. Similar rates of return to work can be anticipated regardless of workers’ compensation status and operative technique, while patients in occupations with higher physical intensity experience inferior work outcomes.

scholarly journals The Impact of Provider Choice on Workers' Compensation Costs and Outcomes

ILR Review ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Neumark ◽  
Peter S. Barth ◽  
Richard A. Victor
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Work Outcomes ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Provider Choice ◽  
Compensation Claims ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Recent Policy ◽  
Physical Recovery ◽  
Prior Relationship

Using survey data collected in 2002 and 2003 in California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Texas on workers injured 3 to 3.5 years earlier, coupled with information on the associated workers' compensation claims from the Workers Compensation Research Institute, the authors examine how provider choice in workers' compensation is related to costs and to workers' outcomes. They find that employee choice of the provider, by comparison with employer choice, was associated with higher costs and worse return-to-work outcomes. Although the same rate of physical recovery was found for both groups, workers who chose their providers reported higher satisfaction with medical care. The higher costs and worse return-to-work outcomes associated with employee choice arose largely when employees selected a new provider, rather than a provider with whom they had a pre-existing relationship. The findings lend some support to recent policy changes limiting workers' ability to choose a provider with whom they do not have a prior relationship.

scholarly journals Data linkage to build detailed return-to-work trajectories for work disability research

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Maas ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Mieke Koehoorn ◽  
Chris McLeod
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Work Disability ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Injured Workers ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Prescription Data ◽  
Cost Benefits ◽  
The Cost

IntroductionMusculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most prevalent chronic condition in Canada, and account for the highest disability costs. Gradual-return-to-work (GRTW) can improve health and labour market outcomes in an aging workforce at risk of MSDs. Linked longitudinal data enables us to generate evidence of GRTW to inform policy needs. Objectives and ApproachThe objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and cost-benefits of GRTW for workers with a work-acquired MSD in British Columbia, Canada. We linked workers’ compensation data, health services data, and prescription data from three governing bodies to 1) identify injured workers with an accepted MSD lost-time injury between 2010 and 2015; 2) identify trajectories of RTW states (injury, sickness absence, GRTW, RTW, and non-RTW) and the probability of transitioning between states; and 3) assess the association between workers characteristics and RTW trajectories, and analyze the cost-benefits of GRTW. ResultsFinal results are expected early 2019. To our knowledge, this will be the first study linking workers’ compensation data (in particular detailed RTW data), health services data and prescription data from three different governing bodies for a comprehensive, population-based investigation of work disability experiences over a longitudinal time period and within the Canadian context. Also, using this data for the purpose of assessing the cost-benefits is new, and will help to prioritize prevention resources and strategies to limit the health and economic impact of work-related MSDs on employers, workers’ compensation boards and society. Conclusion/ImplicationsEvaluating the effects of GRTW on work disability is essential to maximize the health and economic benefits for injured workers. The innovation of this project is that is links three population-based databases to capture multiple indicators of health and work status to build RTW trajectories over time.

scholarly journals 229Step-downs reduce workers’ compensation payments to encourage return to work. Are they effective?

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler Lane ◽  
Luke Sheehan ◽  
Shannon Gray ◽  
Alex Collie
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Injured Workers ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Administrative Claims ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Compensation Systems ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
A Minor

Abstract Background Workers’ compensation systems throughout Australia implement “step-downs,” which cut the amount paid to injured workers after they have received benefits for several months. Though initially introduced to control rising insurance premiums, step-downs are currently justified as an incentive return to work. Whether they have this effect has never been formally tested. Methods Using administrative claims data, we applied a regression discontinuity study design to test whether step-downs affected weekly scheme exit rates, a proxy for return to work, within eight state, territory, and Commonwealth workers’ compensation systems. We also examined effects by injury type (fractures, musculoskeletal, mental health, and other trauma). To derive generalised effects, we combined results using meta-analyses and conducted meta-regressions to determine whether timing or magnitude of step-downs significantly moderated effects. Results Step-downs reduced scheme exit by 0.86 percentage points (95% CI: -1.45, -0.27). Neither timing nor magnitude of step-downs was a significant effect moderator. There were significant effects in fractures (-0.84, 95% CI: -1.61, -0.07) and sensitivity analysis suggested possible effects within mental health and musculoskeletal conditions. Conclusions The negative effects suggest some workers’ compensation recipients anticipate step-downs and return to work early to avoid a reduction in income. However, the effects were small and suggest step-downs have marginal practical significance. We conclude that step-downs are generally ineffective as a return to work policy initiative. Key messages Reducing the amount of compensation paid to injured workers has a minor incentivising effect on their return to work rates.

Injured workers and their return to work

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Galizzi ◽  
Roberto Leombruni ◽  
Lia Pacelli ◽  
Antonella Bena
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Job Security ◽  
Injured Workers ◽  
Reduced Form ◽  
Institutional Setting ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
High Wage ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ex Post

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the factors affecting the return to work (RTW) of injured workers in an institutional setting where workers’ earnings are fully compensated during the disability period. Design/methodology/approach – The authors use a unique data set matching employer-employee panel data with Italian workers’ compensation records. The authors estimate survival models accounting for workers’ unobserved heterogeneity. Findings – Workers with higher wage growth, higher relative wages and from firms with better histories of stable employment, RTW sooner. More vulnerable workers – immigrants, females, members of smaller firms – also tend to return sooner. But even when we control for such measures of commitment, status, and job security, high-wage workers RTW sooner. Research limitations/implications – The authors use proxies as measures of commitment and status. The authors study blue-collar workers without finer job qualifications. The authors estimate a reduced form model. Practical implications – In an institutional environment where the immediate cost of workers’ compensation benefits falls largely on firms, employers seem to pressure those workers whose time off is more costly, i.e., high-wage workers. The lack of evidence of ex post moral hazard behavior also demands for a better understanding of the relationship between benefits and RTW. Social implications – Workers who are induced to RTW before full recovery jeopardize their long- term health and employability. Firms that put such pressure on employees might generate social costs that can be particularity high in the case of high productivity workers. Originality/value – The paper offers the first quantitative analysis of an institutional setting where injured workers face 100 percent benefits replacement rate and have job security. This allows focus on other workers’ or employers’ reasons to speed RTW. It is one of very few economics studies on this topic in the European context, providing implications for human resource managers, state regulators, and unions.

Disability Management Strategies: A Preliminary Investigation of Perceptions, Policies and Return-to-Work Outcomes

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry G. Harder ◽  
Gabrielle McHugh ◽  
Shannon L. Wagner ◽  
Kari A. Harder
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Disability Management ◽  
Injured Workers ◽  
Work Outcomes ◽  
Injured Worker ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThe objectives of this retrospective study were to (1) examine the predictive value of employer's disability management (DM) perceptions and DM policies in return-to-work outcomes for the injured worker, (2) examine factors that influence employer's DM perceptions, polices and return-to-work outcomes, and (3) examine the relationship between demographic factors of the individual and return-to-work outcomes. Employers from a northern British Columbia, Canada community were randomly selected to participate. The findings of the study supported the hypothesis that company perception towards DM is a significant contributing factor to the presence of DM policies in the workplace and that DM polices are predictive of return-to-work outcomes for injured workers.

scholarly journals Case studies of employers with exemplary early intervention and return to work practices

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Randall
Keyword(s):  
Early Intervention ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Injured Workers ◽  
Work Outcomes ◽  
List Type ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Ample Evidence

Background: There is ample evidence that returning to suitable work is good for an injured worker's health and wellbeing. Evidence from the 2013 National Return to Work Survey shows a positive relationship between employers’ treatment of injured workers and return to work outcomes.Objectives: The case studies project aims to provide: •employers with examples of practical solutions, practices or systems to improve return to work outcomes, and•policy makers with a summary of key themes and best practice approaches to inform the development of policy and programs.Methods: Organisations for the case studies will be shortlisted from recent Australian national return to work award winners and finalists. Key players within the organisations, including managers, supervisors, rehabilitation co-ordinators and recovered injured workers, will be interviewed to obtain information and attitudes on the early intervention and return to work approaches. An analysis of the case studies and a literature review on current best practice for early intervention and return to work will be conducted from which key themes and practices will be identified.Findings: The project will produce two reports: case studies of six organisations’ practices, and an analytical report on key findings and best practice for early intervention and return to work. The case studies will provide employers and workers published examples of practical approaches to improving return to work outcomes. The case studies also explore the roles and views of management, supervisors and injured workers. The analytical report will examine the case studies and report on key themes and best practice, providing policy makers and employers with an analysis of findings. The 2013 National Return to Work survey provides supporting evidence of the positive relationship between return to work outcomes and a range of variables related to the role of the employer and the workplace.Conclusion: It is anticipated the case studies project will provide examples of practical approaches to improving early intervention and return to work outcomes, which other organisations may consider implementing.

Experiences of Medical Advisors in the Workers' Compensation System in British Columbia

2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-26
Author(s):  
Lydia Arnold-Smith ◽  
Henry G. Harder
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Compensation System ◽  
Injured Workers ◽  
Research Report ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Central Theme ◽  
Work Process ◽  
Attending Physicians

AbstractAttending physicians and medical advisors, physicians contracting their services to the Workers' Compensation Board, have key roles in assisting injured workers to return to work. A literature review of the role of the physician in the compensable return to work process reveals a lack of information regarding the experiences of medical advisors. This descriptive phenomenological study was undertaken to explore the lived experiences of four medical advisors in a northern rural service delivery location. The purpose of the research was to gain an understanding of the medical advisors' experiences in the compensable return to work process and in the compensation system. Analysis of the interview data revealed a central theme of commitment to quality medical care for injured workers, along with three major themes and several minor themes subsumed within the major concepts: providing medical opinions — requiring factual information, clarifying the diagnosis, no previous relationship with worker, categories of injuries; working with attending physicians and specialists — building relationships, evidence based treatment plans, role of the attending physician, role of the medical advisor; and, working within the workers' compensation environment — structure and policies, expedited services, and case management/team environment. This research report presents the central theme as the foundation through which the major themes are interconnected. This study does not generalise to all medical advisors, but relays stories that contain the essence of a lived experience.

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