Prevalence of serious mental illness and mental health service use after a workplace injury: a longitudinal study of workers’ compensation claimants in Victoria, Australia

Orchard, Christa; Carnide, Nancy; Mustard, Cameron; Smith, Peter

doi:10.1136/oemed-2019-105995

Cited by 13 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…For example, several workers suggested that WC cover mental health services or counseling to assist with stress, transitions, and recovery related to having a permanent injury. This aligns with growing research attention on the downstream mental health impacts of work-related injury-impacts which may in part be direct health impacts of the injury, but may also be preventable sequelae of WC-related administrative burdens and their psychological costs, 23,[37][38][39][40] or of post-injury economic burdens, which were described with alarming frequency and stress. 4,5,22 A large number of workers (N = 45) emphasized the need for easier and earlier access to specific procedures, particularly imaging and surgery.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Appraisal of Washington State workers' compensation‐based return‐to‐work programs and suggested system improvements: A survey of workers with permanent impairments

Sears

Edmonds

MacEachen

et al. 2021

American J Industrial Med

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Background: Following a work-related permanent impairment, injured workers commonly face barriers to safe and successful return to work (RTW). Examining workers' experiences with the workers' compensation (WC) system could highlight opportunities to improve RTW outcomes. Objectives included summarizing workers': (1) appraisal of several WC-based RTW programs, and (2) suggestions for vocational rehabilitation and WC system improvements to promote safe and sustained RTW.Methods: In telephone interviews, 582 Washington State workers with work-related permanent impairments were asked whether participation in specified WC-based RTW programs helped them RTW and/or stay at work. Suggestions for program and system improvements were solicited using open-ended questions; qualitative content analysis methods were used to inductively code responses.Results: Most respondents reported positive impacts from RTW program participation; for example, 62.5% of vocational rehabilitation participants reported it helped them RTW, and 51.7% reported it helped them stay at work. Among 582 respondents, 28.0% reported that no change was needed to the WC system, while 57.6% provided suggestions or critiques. Reduce delays/simplify process/improve efficiency was the most frequent WC system theme-mentioned by 34.9%. Among 120 vocational rehabilitation participants, 35.8% reported that no change was needed to vocational rehabilitation, while 46.7% (N = 56) provided suggestions or critiques. More worker choice/input into the vocational retraining plan was the most frequent vocational rehabilitation theme-mentioned by 33.9%.Conclusions: This study's findings suggest that there is substantial room for improvement in workers' experience with the WC system. In addition, injured workers' feedback may reflect opportunities to reduce administrative burden and to improve worker health and RTW outcomes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Appraisal of Washington State workers' compensation‐based return‐to‐work programs and suggested system improvements: A survey of workers with permanent impairments

Sears

Edmonds

MacEachen

et al. 2021

American J Industrial Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These findings are consistent with research conducted elsewhere in the province showing that injured workers involved in workers' compensation systems report considerable levels of stress and are at greater risk of developing persistent mental health problems than those who were not injured at work, and the general population. 32,33 The injured workers and service providers highlighted several aspects of the process that could contribute to a negative claim or appeal experience, outlined below.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences, impacts and service needs of injured and ill workers in the WSIB process: evidence from Thunder Bay and District (Ontario, Canada)

Noël

Scharf

Hawkins

et al. 2022

Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can

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Introduction Individuals experience negative physical, social and psychological ramifications when they are hurt or become ill at work. Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is intended to mitigate these effects, yet the WSIB process can be difficult. Supports for injured workers can be fragmented and scarce, especially in underserved areas. We describe the experiences and mental health needs of injured and ill Northwestern Ontario workers in the WSIB process, in order to promote system improvements. Methods Community-recruited injured and ill workers (n = 40) from Thunder Bay and District completed an online survey about their mental health, social service and legal system needs while involved with WSIB. Additional Northwestern Ontario injured and ill workers (n = 16) and community service providers experienced with WSIB processes (n = 8) completed interviews addressing similar themes. Results Northwestern Ontario workers described the impacts of workplace injury and illness on their professional, family, financial and social functioning, and on their physical and mental health. Many also reported incremental negative impacts of the WSIB processes themselves, including regional issues such as “small town” privacy concerns and the cost burden of travel required by the WSIB, especially during COVID-19. Workers and service providers suggested streamlining and explicating WSIB processes, increasing WSIB continuity of care, and region-specific actions such as improving access to regional support services through arm’s-length navigators. Conclusion Northwestern Ontario workers experienced negative effects from workplace injuries and illness and the WSIB process itself. Stakeholders can use these findings to improve processes and outcomes for injured and ill workers, with special considerations for the North.

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“…The consequences of work disability can be significant for workers. People with prolonged work disability suffer worse mental health (2)(3)(4), have shorter life expectancy (5), attend healthcare consultations more frequently with physical symptoms and report higher levels of pain (6), receive more social care (7), and report reduced quality of life (8). There are also gaps in health service delivery.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Second, several studies show that a substantial proportion of people with work disability have mental health conditions, including people in whom the episode of work disability is linked to a physical injury/condition. Approximately 30% to 50% of people with workers' compensation claims for musculoskeletal disorders reported moderate to severe psychological distress (2,3), while mental health conditions are now the most common medical condition among Australians receiving social assistance disability benefits (14). Third, people with work disability are often involved in administrative benefit systems such as workers' compensation or social assistance schemes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relationship between work disability and subsequent suicide or self-harm: A systematic scoping review

Collie

Gray

2022

Preprint

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Background: Work disability occurs when an injury, illness or other health condition limits the ability of a worker to participate in paid employment. Several lines of evidence suggest that people with work disability are also at increased risk of suicide and intentional self-harm, however the evidence on this relationship has not previously been the subject of systematic review. Objective: This systematic scoping review aims to assess and summarise the research literature regarding the relationship between work disability and subsequent suicide or intentional self-harm. Methods: Peer-reviewed quantitative and qualitative studies published in English from 1st January 2000 were included if they reported suicide or self-harm outcomes in people aged 15 years or older with work disability. Narrative synthesis summarised findings according to the system of work disability income support. Results: Literature search yielded 859 records of which 47 eligible studies were included, including nine set in workers compensation, 20 in sickness absence, 13 in disability pension systems, and five from mixed cohorts. Of 44 quantitative studies, 41 reported a positive relationship between work disability and suicidal behaviour. The relationship is observed consistently across nations, work disability income support systems and in people with a range of health conditions. Several factors elevate risk of suicidal behaviour, including presence of mental health conditions and longer work disability duration. There were few quality studies in some nations and no suicide prevention interventions. Conclusion: The risk of suicide and intentional self-harm is elevated in people experiencing work disability. While further observational research is required to fill evidence gaps, this review suggests the need for governments, employers and those involved in the delivery of care and support to people with work disability to focus on identification and monitoring of those at greatest risk of suicidal behaviour, as well as suicide prevention.

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Prevalence of serious mental illness and mental health service use after a workplace injury: a longitudinal study of workers’ compensation claimants in Victoria, Australia

Cited by 13 publications

References 12 publications

Appraisal of Washington State workers' compensation‐based return‐to‐work programs and suggested system improvements: A survey of workers with permanent impairments

Appraisal of Washington State workers' compensation‐based return‐to‐work programs and suggested system improvements: A survey of workers with permanent impairments

Experiences, impacts and service needs of injured and ill workers in the WSIB process: evidence from Thunder Bay and District (Ontario, Canada)

The relationship between work disability and subsequent suicide or self-harm: A systematic scoping review

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