Return to work and degree of recovery among injured workers in California's Workers' Compensation system.

Objectives: To determine factors associated with return to work and self-reported degree of recovery among injured workers in California.

Methods: Using logistic regression and survey data from a representative sample of 965 workers injured between April 1 and June 30, 2005, we investigated the impact of the primary treating physician's (PTP) occupational medicine orientation and interpersonal behavior and access to and timeliness of care on return to work and degree of recovery, controlling for worker and injury characteristics.

Results: Some PTP behaviors significantly increased the likelihood of return to work and some degree of recovery, while recommendations for specialty care reduced the likelihood of returning to work or experiencing some degree of recovery.

Improving access through health insurance coverage and safety net expansion: a review of the literature.

Proposals to address the needs of uninsured Californians take one of two broadly different emphases: assuring that the uninsured have access to health services by expanding community health centers and clinics; or by extending health insurance coverage to those without it. This policy brief examines literature on the effect of expanding access to safety net health services versus extending health insurance coverage to those who are currently uninsured. Based on this examination of the literature and analysis of the 2005 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS 2005), we conclude that both approaches are necessary to address access problems faced by the uninsured and underserved.