scholarly journals Managing and Mitigating Suffering in the Return-to-Work Process

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Woods ◽  
Mandy L. Matthewson
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Work Process ◽  
Serious Illness ◽  
Existential Suffering

Each year thousands of workers experience a serious illness or injury that necessitates time off work and a subsequent re-engagement with the work environment. In Australia, workers’ compensation legislation mandates the return-to-work (RTW) process is formal, structured, and negotiated between the worker, their employer, health care professionals and their RTW coordinator. How this is executed by those parties directly influences whether the RTW process is supportive and successful, or exacerbates the suffering of returning workers by causing them to feel ostracised, exposed, and vulnerable in their workplace. In this article, we examine how the RTW process can cause physical, emotional, social, and existential suffering for returning workers. We then discuss how the suffering that workers experience can be mitigated by five key factors: clarity of roles in the RTW process, alignment of worker and employer expectations, the advocacy provided by the RTW coordinator, the support provided for the worker’s psychological wellbeing, and the RTW literacy of supervisors and colleagues.

scholarly journals The Experience of Providing Physical Therapy in a Changing Health Care Environment

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (7) ◽  
pp. 648-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemary Blau ◽  
Sarah Bolus ◽  
Terrence Carolan ◽  
Daniel Kramer ◽  
Elizabeth Mahoney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Systemic Change ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Health Care Environment ◽  
Care Environment

Abstract Background and Purpose. The changes in the health care environment during the last decade have had an impact on the roles and responsibilities of all health care professionals. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experience of staff physical therapists during a time of systemic change within a large urban academic medical center. Subjects and Methods. Participants were 5 physical therapists working in various clinical settings within the medical center. The participants were interviewed and asked the question “Over the past 4 years, there have been major changes in your work environment. What has it been like for you working as a clinician during this time of change?” Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to find thematic patterns of responses. Results. Four common themes emerged in which participants described experiencing loss of control, stress, discontent, and disheartenment. A fifth theme showed that despite these negative feelings, participants were able to “find the silver lining” in their daily work lives (ie, they were able to find positive aspects of their professional lives despite the perceived unpleasant changes with which they had to cope). Discussion and Conclusion. This study provides insight into the experiences of a group of staff physical therapists during a time of systemic change in their work environment. Although the themes reflect largely unsettling and negative experiences, there seems to be an underlying ability to find affirmative aspects of work.

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.

Abstract 3123: Toolkit for Return to Work after Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Gilmore ◽  
John Barry ◽  
Jeff Blanchard ◽  
Shannon Howson ◽  
Martha Korzycki
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Stroke Care ◽  
Face Validity ◽  
Stroke Survivors ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Negative Impacts

Background: The Southwestern Ontario (SWO) Stroke Network completed community engagement forums with stroke survivors, their loved ones and community service providers to determine barriers to living fully in the community after stroke. One of the priorities identified in the forums was the need for "return to work" services. Currently, 10 % of stroke survivors are people under the age of 50 and in the prime of their working life. Research indicates that return to work rates after stroke are as low as 7%. However, employment is one of the most important social roles that a person fulfills and not working has negative impacts on one’s overall quality of life, health, finances, social isolation and self-efficacy. Stroke survivors and health care professionals need to be aware of how to navigate the process of return to work after stroke. Purpose: A toolkit of resources has been developed to assist stroke survivors and health care professionals navigate the process of return to work after stroke. Methods: A working group comprised of experts in vocational rehabilitation and stroke care developed a toolkit of resources to educate and assist stroke survivors and health care professionals navigate the complex system of return to work. The resources have undergone an external review by health care professionals and stroke survivors. Results: Resources developed include a self assessment guide. It assesses five critical areas to return to work by evaluating the stroke survivor’s current abilities against the demands of the job and is designed to help focus the individual’s recovery efforts. Algorithms on how to navigate the system of return to work, including how to traverse the system of financial benefits and questions to ask employers and information on community financial supports were developed. A literature review and inventories outlining services for persons with stroke, who are preparing to re-enter the workforce, are part of the toolkit. Health care providers and stroke survivors have confirmed the face to face validity of the resources. Conclusions: Research indicates that stroke survivors should be encouraged to evaluate their potential of returning to work and should receive support from knowledgeable professionals regarding return to work as soon as possible after stroke. This toolkit is intended to support stroke survivors and their health care professionals to navigate the system for a successful return to work. Next steps include the development of a website to assist with return to work.

Coherence Ideal Work Element: Fairness and Equity

2020 ◽  
pp. 159-162
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Swensen ◽  
Tait D. Shanafelt
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Work Schedules ◽  
The Ideal ◽  
The Way

Fairness and equity are important elements of the ideal work environment. Health care professionals need transparency in all matters that make sense including the way pay, privileges, and work schedules are determined. This Ideal Work Element also requires fair and just accountability to provide support when clinicians experience a traumatic patient adverse care event.

Agency Action: Removing Pebbles

2020 ◽  
pp. 121-136
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Swensen ◽  
Tait D. Shanafelt
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Participative Management ◽  
Management Process ◽  
Work Unit ◽  
Agency Action

The identification and removal of sources of frustration and inefficiency requires a partnership of leaders and health care professionals. This participative management process treats health care professionals as trusted and respected colleagues. It results in a more friendly work environment and a cohesive team that is able to more readily navigate the occupational challenges that arise. The process of identifying and removing pebbles starts with an unrushed conversation with the health care professionals of a given work unit. The local challenges that often surface in these discussions frequently involve disorganization and processes that diminish meaning or that impede caring for patients.

scholarly journals Tensions Living Out Professional Values for Physical Therapists Treating Injured Workers

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 876-888
Author(s):  
Anne Hudon ◽  
Debbie Ehrmann Feldman ◽  
Matthew Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Injured Workers ◽  
Professional Values ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Canadian Provinces

Health care services provided by workers’ compensation systems aim to facilitate recovery for injured workers. However, some features of these systems pose barriers to high quality care and challenge health care professionals in their everyday work. We used interpretive description methodology to explore ethical tensions experienced by physical therapists caring for patients with musculoskeletal injuries compensated by Workers’ Compensation Boards. We conducted in-depth interviews with 40 physical therapists and leaders in the physical therapy and workers’ compensation fields from three Canadian provinces and analyzed transcripts using concurrent and constant comparative techniques. Through our analysis, we developed inductive themes reflecting significant challenges experienced by participants in upholding three core professional values: equity, competence, and autonomy. These challenges illustrate multiple facets of physical therapists’ struggles to uphold moral commitments and preserve their sense of professional integrity while providing care to injured workers within a complex health service system.

scholarly journals Physical Therapists Who Claimed Workers' Compensation: A Qualitative Study

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (12) ◽  
pp. 1080-1089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean E Cromie ◽  
Valma J Robertson ◽  
Margaret O Best
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Compensation System ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Employment Opportunities ◽  
Small Minority ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽  
Compensation Claims

Background and Purpose. Although most physical therapists experience work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) at some time, only a small minority claim workers' compensation. This article describes the experiences of a group of therapists with WMSDs who made compensation claims. Methods. Interviews were used to document the experiences of physical therapists who reported that they had changed their career because of WMSDs. Results and Discussion. Therapists described their experiences in negative terms and found dealing with the workers' compensation system frustrating and unpleasant. They encountered attitudes that labeled them as malingerers and felt their credibility was questioned. Conclusions. Physical therapists' experiences of the workers' compensation system were negative, and they were keen to become independent of it. Those who claimed workers' compensation perceived that a compensable claim could limit their employment opportunities, making confidentiality an important issue when treating other health care professionals.

scholarly journals Return to Work after Common Mental Disorders: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Expectations of the Involved Stakeholders

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6635
Author(s):  
Jessica Scharf ◽  
Peter Angerer ◽  
Gesine Müting ◽  
Adrian Loerbroks
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Return To Work ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Occupational Physicians ◽  
Return Process

Common mental disorders (CMDs) are risk factors for long-term sickness absence and unemployment. Therefore, return-to-work (RTW) processes have been introduced to facilitate the return of employees. As the success of RTW processes is considered to be determined by the cooperativeness of the involved stakeholders, we aimed to investigate the views of those stakeholders to disclose potentially diverging expectations. Qualitative interviews were conducted (08/2018-04/2019) among five stakeholder groups: returnees with a diagnosed CMD who were eligible for a RTW process; health care professionals nominated by the returnees; supervisors, colleagues and occupational physicians (the latter three groups were not nominated by the returnees). In total, 24 returnees, 13 health care professionals, 13 occupational physicians, 9 supervisors and 9 colleagues were interviewed (68 interviews in total). Potentially diverging expectations of the stakeholders related to whether diagnoses need to be disclosed by returnees. Agreement existed in terms of the need for a trustful relationship between employees and occupational physicians to initiate a RTW process early. As the understanding of all stakeholders’ viewpoints is one of the main factors promoting a successful RTW, we explored the expectations of those involved in the RTW process. One implication of our findings is to strengthen the role of occupational physicians, who could coordinate the return process.

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