The Role of Healthcare Providers in Return to Work

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Kosny ◽  
Marni Lifshen ◽  
Basak Yanar ◽  
Sabrina Tonima ◽  
Ellen MacEachen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Case Managers ◽  
Compensation System ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Role Clarity ◽  
Compensation Systems ◽  
Inductive Constant ◽  
Meaningful Engagement

International research has generated strong evidence that healthcare providers (HCPs) play a key role in the return to work (RTW) process. However, pressure on consultation time, administrative challenges and limited knowledge about a patient's workplace can thwart meaningful engagement. Aim: Our study sought to understand how HCPs interact with workers compensation boards (WCBs), manage the treatment of workers compensation patients and navigate the RTW process. Method: The study involved in-depth interviews with 97 HCPs in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador and interviews with 34 case managers (CMs). An inductive, constant comparative analysis was employed to develop key themes. Findings: Most HCPs did not encounter significant problems with the workers compensation system or the RTW process when they treated patients who had visible, acute, physical injuries, but faced challenges when they encountered patients with multiple injuries, gradual-onset or complex illnesses, chronic pain and mental health conditions. In these circumstances, many experienced the workers compensation system as opaque and confusing. A number of systemic, process and administrative hurdles, disagreements about medical decisions and lack of role clarity impeded the meaningful engagement of HCPs in RTW. In turn, this has resulted in challenges for injured workers (IWs), as well as inefficiencies in the workers compensation system. Conclusion: This study raises questions about the appropriate role of HCPs in the RTW process. We offer suggestions about practices and policies that can clarify the role of HCPs and make workers compensation systems easier to navigate for all stakeholders.

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.

Examining the Role of Rehabilitation in the South Australian Workers' Compensation System

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 82-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Christine Roberts-Yates
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Case Managers ◽  
Compensation System ◽  
Injured Workers ◽  
Work Outcomes ◽  
Ample Evidence ◽  
Medical Practitioners

This paper will analyse the provision of rehabilitation to injured workers with a registered WorkCover claim in South Australia. It presents the comments of key parties on the practice of rehabilitation, approaches to service delivery, and contradictions and paradoxes of the reality of the practice. The comments of workers, employers, case managers, medical practitioners, and of the rehabilitation providers themselves give ample evidence of the complexity of the demands placed upon providers in this system. Emphasis is placed upon their role in presenting the realities of the situation honestly to the worker and in effectively communicating to other stakeholders the particular strategies needed to overcome barriers to successful return-to-work outcomes.

What are physicians told about their role in return to work and workers’ compensation systems? An analysis of Canadian resources

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Kosny ◽  
Marni Lifshen ◽  
Ellen MacEachen ◽  
Andrea Furlan ◽  
Mieke Koehoorn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Compensation Systems

The structure and process of workers’ compensation systems and the role of doctors: A comparison of Ontario and Québec

2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (12) ◽  
pp. 1070-1086 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Lippel ◽  
Joan M. Eakin ◽  
D. Linn Holness ◽  
Dana Howse
Keyword(s):  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Compensation Systems

Can a Transitional Work Grant Program in a Workers' Compensation System Reduce Cost and Facilitate Return to Work?

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 547-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. K. Dunning ◽  
K. G. Davis ◽  
S. E. Kotowski ◽  
T. Elliott ◽  
G. Jewell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Compensation System ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Grant Program

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.

scholarly journals Personality Traits, Psychological Health, and the Workers' Compensation System

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy L. Wall ◽  
Shirley A. Morrissey ◽  
James R.P. Ogloff
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Compensation System ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Emotional Instability ◽  
Current Compensation ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Compensation Systems ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Different Levels

AbstractThis study explored the influence of personality traits on injured workers' interaction with workers' compensation systems. Data were collected from 89 participant claimants (males, 41; females 48, mean age = 45 years,SD= 10.67 years) at various levels of involvement with the workers' compensation system: previous claimants (n= 39), current claimants (n= 28), and nonclaimant workers (n= 22). Significant differences in personality traits were found between these groups of compensation claimants. Current compensation claimants displayed greater emotional instability and introversion compared with those less acutely involved in the compensation system. Current claimants also experienced clinically significant levels of symptoms of depression, anxiety, somatic complaints, and reported reduced social functioning, relative to previous and nonclaimants, respectively. Overall, subtle differences were found to exist in personality and psychological health between groups of workers at different levels of involvement with the workers' compensation system.

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

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler J Lane ◽  
Luke R Sheehan ◽  
Shannon E Gray ◽  
Dianne Beck ◽  
Alex Collie
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Combined Effect ◽  
Injured Workers ◽  
Administrative Claims ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Exit Rate ◽  
Policy Objective ◽  
Compensation Systems ◽  
New Findings

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether step-downs, which cut the rate of compensation paid to injured workers after they have been on benefits for several months, are effective as a return to work incentive.MethodsWe aggregated administrative claims data from seven Australian workers’ compensation systems to calculate weekly scheme exit rates, a proxy for return to work. Jurisdictions were further subdivided into four injury subgroups: fractures, musculoskeletal, mental health, and other trauma. The effect of step-downs on scheme exit was tested using a regression discontinuity design. Results were pooled into meta-analyses to calculate combined effects and the proportion of variance attributable to heterogeneity.ResultsThe combined effect of step-downs was a 0.86 percentage point (95% CI -1.45 to -0.27) reduction in the exit rate, with significant heterogeneity between jurisdictions (I2 = 68%, p = .003). Neither timing nor magnitude of step-downs was a significant moderator of effects. Within injury subgroups, only fractures had a significant combined effect (-0.84, 95% CI -1.61 to -0.07). Sensitivity analysis indicated potential effects within mental health and musculoskeletal conditions as well.ConclusionsThe results suggest some workers’ compensation recipients anticipate step-downs and exit the system early to avoid the 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 messages1.What is already known about this subject?A number of workers’ compensation systems around the world reduce payments to injured workers after they have been in the system for several months. In Australia, where each state, territory, and Commonwealth system employs step-downs, the stated policy objective is to increase the rate of return to work through financial incentives. However, there is little empirical evidence to either support or reject this claim.2.What are the new findings?The rate at which claimants exited workers’ compensation systems increased ahead of step-downs taking effect, suggesting an anticipatory effect. However, the effect was relatively small, changing the exit rate by less than a percentage point overall, with substantial heterogeneity between systems.3.How might this impact on policy or clinical practice in the foreseeable future?While statistically significant, the findings suggest that step-downs provide workers’ compensation claimants little incentive to return to work. Policymakers may need to reconsider step-downs as a component of scheme design, or justify them according to their original purpose, which was to save costs.

Do differences in work disability duration by interjurisdictional claim status vary by industry and jurisdictional context?

2021 ◽  
pp. oemed-2020-106917
Author(s):  
Robert A Macpherson ◽  
Mieke Koehoorn ◽  
Barbara Neis ◽  
Christopher B McLeod
Keyword(s):  
Work Disability ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Exact Matching ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Compensation Systems ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Time Work ◽  
Resource Economy

ObjectivesTo examine whether differences in work disability duration between out-of-province and within-province workers differed by industry and jurisdictional context.MethodsWorkers’ compensation data were used to identify comparable lost time, work-related injury and musculoskeletal disorder claims accepted in six Canadian jurisdictions between 2006 and 2015. Out-of-province workers were identified as workers who filed claims in a different provincial jurisdiction to their province of residence. Coarsened exact matching was used to match out-of-province workers with within-province workers based on observable characteristics. Quantile regression models were used to estimate differences in cumulative disability days paid between out-of-province workers and within-province workers at different percentiles in the disability distribution, adjusting for confounders.ResultsCompared with within-province workers, out-of-province workers were paid more disability days even after matching and adjusting on observable characteristics. Differences between the two groups of workers were observed for short-duration, medium-duration and long-duration claims (differences of 1.57, 6.39, 21.42, 46.43 days at the 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles, respectively). Industry-specific models showed that differences were largest in construction, transportation and warehousing, and mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction. Jurisdiction-specific models showed that differences were largest in the western provinces where out-of-province workers were concentrated in those sectors.ConclusionsOut-of-province workers are a vulnerable group with respect to risk of longer work disability duration. Workers’ compensation systems, employers and healthcare providers may need to tailor specific interventions for these types of workers, particularly those employed in resource economy-dependent regions that are far from their regions of residence.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document