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.

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.

Australian general practitioners' perspective on the role of the workplace Return-to-Work Coordinator

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Bohatko-Naismith ◽  
Maya Guest ◽  
Carole James ◽  
Dimity Pond ◽  
Darren A. Rivett
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Injured Workers ◽  
Work Process ◽  
Important Trait ◽  
Return To Work Coordinators

General practitioners (GPs) play a key role in the return-to-work process, and yet their experiences working with workplace Return-to-Work Coordinators (RTWCs) have rarely been studied. The aim of this paper is to provide insights from the GP perspective about their experiences with workplace RTWCs and their preparedness for the role. GPs from Australian states and territories where legislation mandates workplaces employ a RTWC were requested to complete a questionnaire on their experiences with workplace RTWCs. Fifty GPs completed a questionnaire on the preparedness of RTWCs in relation to their role, with 58% (n=29) indicating RTWCs require more training. A total of 78% (n=39) of respondents considered RTWCs were important in assisting injured workers return to work, with 98% (n=49) ranking trustworthiness, respectfulness and ethicalness as the most important or an important trait for a RTWC to possess. Interestingly, 40% (n=20) of respondents themselves reported having no training in the return-to-work process. GPs acknowledge the importance of the workplace RTWC in the return-to-work process, and the results highlight the need for RTWCs to possess specific traits and undergo appropriate training for the facilitation of a successful return to work for injured workers.

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.

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.

scholarly journals Injured workers’ perception of loss and gain in the return to work process

2017 ◽  
Vol Volume 10 ◽  
pp. 7-16
Author(s):  
Hon Sun Lai ◽  
Grace Szeto ◽  
Chetwyn Chan
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Injured Workers ◽  
Work Process

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 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.

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