Background: Australian workers' compensation data reports a reduction in injury rates and claim incidence but no improvement in Return to Work (RTW) rates.
Objective: To identify factors associated with a positive RTW outcome and describe those referred to Workplace Rehabilitation Providers (WRPs) in the New South Wales (NSW) Australian workers' compensation scheme.
Methods: A retrospective review of 65,762 de-identified WRP case records over a 5 year period. 9,262 cases specifically referred for RTW assistance were analysed to identify factors associated with a positive RTW outcome
Results: Overall 47% of those referred for RTW services were able to upgrade their work status whilst 30% maintained their Stay at Work or pre-referral work status. The significant independent predictors associated with a positive RTW outcome were a shorter duration of disability (p< 0.001) (0R, 0.971; 95% CI, 0.964-0.977) and a higher socio economic index score (p=0.002) (OR, 1.131; 95% CI, 1.045-1.223).
Conclusions: The study suggests that WRPs are seeing an increased focus on management of workers with increasing disability, with socio-economic disadvantage, increasing age, from blue collar backgrounds. The duration of disability is a significant determinant in achieving positive RTW outcomes suggesting that injured workers should be referred earlier for RTW services.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/WOR-131608 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Referring psychiatric patients to occupational health services for earlier return to work - a qualitative implementation study of barriers and facilitators.
BMC Health Serv Res
January 2025
University of Eastern Finland, School of Medicine, Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, Yliopistonranta 1, Kuopio, 70210, Finland.
Background: Mental disorders are a major public health challenge, and their prevalence is globally increasing. They substantially affect work ability, quality of life, and the number of years of disability. A new model for referring psychiatric patients to occupational health services (OHS) aims to improve the continuity of care and to promote the early return to work (RTW) of workers with diagnosed mental health conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFactors associated with health-related quality of life in women with paid work at breast cancer diagnosis: a German repeated cross-sectional study over the first five years after primary surgery.
BMC Cancer
January 2025
Medical Sociology Unit, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Background: Evidence suggests a deterioration of health-related quality of life (HRQL) after breast cancer diagnosis and therapy. This study examines sociodemographic and health-related factors that could be associated with the HRQL of working women with breast cancer during the first five years after primary surgery. Second, it explores potential vulnerable groups with respect to HRQL using decision tree analyses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAssociations between Psychosocial Working Conditions and Work-Specific Self-Efficacy Beliefs Among Employees Receiving Psychotherapeutic Consultation at Work.
J Occup Rehabil
November 2024
Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Purpose: By considering work-related aspects during early intervention and treatment of employees with (subclinical) symptoms of common mental disorders, psychotherapeutic consultation at work (PT-W) aims to increase work-specific self-efficacy (SE) to finally reduce sickness absence and contribute to successful return to work. This study, thus, aims to investigate interrelations between working conditions and work-specific SE among employees before receiving PT-W.
Methods: The study uses baseline data of a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of PT-W in Germany (n = 535).
Professional reintegration of stroke survivors and their mental health, quality of life and community integration.
Qual Life Res
December 2024
São João de Deus School of Nursing, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to explore the relationship between professional reintegration (return to work) and mental health, quality of life, and community reintegration in stroke survivors 18-24 months post-stroke.
- A survey of 553 stroke survivors revealed that 56.6% had returned to work, and this return was positively linked with better community integration but negatively associated with depressive symptoms.
- The findings suggest that while returning to work can improve community ties, it may also point to mental health challenges, indicating a need for further research on the obstacles stroke survivors face in reintegrating into the workforce.*
What do employers need when supporting stroke survivors to return to work?: a mixed-methods study.
Top Stroke Rehabil
October 2024
Centre for Rehabilitation & Ageing Research (CRAR), Injury, Recovery Sciences, and Inflammation (IRIS), School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Background: Employers are key in supporting stroke survivors to return to work (RTW) but do not always have knowledge/skills or guidance to do so.
Objectives: To explore employers' needs for provision of post-stroke RTW support.
Methods: Mixed-methods study.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!