A Descriptive Study of the Implementation of Remote Occupational Rehabilitation Services Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic Within a Workers’ Compensation Context

Abstract

Purpose The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in dramatic changes to avoid virus spread. In Canada, following provincial legislation the Workers’ Compensation Board of Alberta (WCB-Alberta) stopped in-person rehabilitation services on March 23, 2020. On April 1, training began on remote service delivery using videoconferencing or telerehabilitation, which started April 3. We studied WCB-Alberta’s transition to remote rehabilitation service delivery. Methods A population-based descriptive study was conducted, with data extracted from the WCB-Alberta database. This included clinical data from rehabilitation providers. We included workers completing services between January 1 and May 31, 2020. We statistically examined differences before and after the transition to remote services. Results The dataset included 4,516 individuals with work-related injuries. The mean number of work assessments per week pre-COVID was 244.6 (SD 83.5), which reduced to 135.9 (SD 74.5). Workers undergoing remote assessments were significantly more likely to work in health care or trades, did not require an interpreter, and were less likely to be working or judged as ready to return to work. Number of completed rehabilitation programs also reduced from 125.6 to 40.8 per week, with most (67.1%) remote programs being functional restoration. Few adverse effects were observed. Conclusions We describe the transition to completely remote delivery of occupational rehabilitation due to COVID-19 physical distancing restrictions in one Canadian compensation jurisdiction. It appears the use of remote services was successful but proceeded cautiously, with fewer complex cases being referred for assessment or rehabilitation. Further research examining longer-term work outcomes and stakeholder perceptions is needed.

Return-to-Work Following Occupational Rehabilitation for Long COVID: Descriptive Cohort Study

“…Providers of the post-COVID rehabilitation program report on a variety of demographic, clinical, and occupational variables. Our team has previously conducted several studies using data from WCB-Alberta programs [23][24][25][26], and we worked with the same experienced team in Health Care Strategy to retrieve data for this study.…”

Non-inferiority of a hybrid outpatient rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial (HIRE, DRKS00028770)

“…Moreover, the World Federation of Occupational Therapists has issued a statement on the use of telemedicine to improve accessibility to occupational therapy and other benefits, such as an effective support for the transition to home life [ 5 ]. Not least due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, telerehabilitation was often the only form of rehabilitative care and tested worldwide [ 6 – 8 ]. Particularly, regions with a low supply density of rehabilitation services could profit from these interventions [ 8 ].…”

“…Not least due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, telerehabilitation was often the only form of rehabilitative care and tested worldwide [ 6 – 8 ]. Particularly, regions with a low supply density of rehabilitation services could profit from these interventions [ 8 ]. Since approximately 80% of those aged 14-years and older in Germany use the internet regularly, the required skills for participation in internet-based interventions are a given among the patients [ 9 ].…”

Trends and Disparities in the Use of Telehealth Among Injured Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“… 9 However, few studies have examined telehealth utilization within the context of workers’ compensation, where physical examination, in-office testing, and participation in work-related functional activities are common. 10 Additionally, it remains unclear how telehealth usage among injured workers has changed as the pandemic continues to evolve.…”

“…Several other reports and publications have also documented the rapid increase in telehealth utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic among specific health conditions, 4–6 provider specialties, 7,8 and patient groups (eg, Veterans Affairs) 9 . However, few studies have examined telehealth utilization within the context of workers’ compensation, where physical examination, in-office testing, and participation in work-related functional activities are common 10 . Additionally, it remains unclear how telehealth usage among injured workers has changed as the pandemic continues to evolve.…”