The Role of Healthcare Providers in Return to Work

Abstract

International research has generated strong evidence that healthcare providers (HCPs) play a key role in the return to work (RTW) process. However, pressure on consultation time, administrative challenges and limited knowledge about a patient's workplace can thwart meaningful engagement. Aim: Our study sought to understand how HCPs interact with workers compensation boards (WCBs), manage the treatment of workers compensation patients and navigate the RTW process. Method: The study involved in-depth interviews with 97 HCPs in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador and interviews with 34 case managers (CMs). An inductive, constant comparative analysis was employed to develop key themes. Findings: Most HCPs did not encounter significant problems with the workers compensation system or the RTW process when they treated patients who had visible, acute, physical injuries, but faced challenges when they encountered patients with multiple injuries, gradual-onset or complex illnesses, chronic pain and mental health conditions. In these circumstances, many experienced the workers compensation system as opaque and confusing. A number of systemic, process and administrative hurdles, disagreements about medical decisions and lack of role clarity impeded the meaningful engagement of HCPs in RTW. In turn, this has resulted in challenges for injured workers (IWs), as well as inefficiencies in the workers compensation system. Conclusion: This study raises questions about the appropriate role of HCPs in the RTW process. We offer suggestions about practices and policies that can clarify the role of HCPs and make workers compensation systems easier to navigate for all stakeholders.

A Qualitative Exploration of Return to Work in the First 3-Years After Serious Injury

“…Previous research, however, has highlighted a lack of clarity around the role of health professionals' in RTW processes [30,31]. Our study confirmed that direct communication between health professionals and employers and healthcare providers that advocated for workers with injuries supported successful RTW.…”

“…Our study confirmed that direct communication between health professionals and employers and healthcare providers that advocated for workers with injuries supported successful RTW. Others have suggested that GP training and the introduction of guidelines to define the role of health professionals in RTW processes could be beneficial [30][31][32]. Future research focused on establishing effective processes and roles that enable clear communication and collaboration between major participants in the RTW process.…”

Highly Educated Immigrant Workers’ Perspectives of Occupational Health and Safety and Work Conditions That Challenge Work Safety

“…Previous research suggests that new immigrant workers have a limited understanding of OHS and, therefore, a higher risk of injury than Canadian-born workers [ 15 , 16 ]. Current findings, while broadly consistent with previous research, suggest that new immigrant workers’ understanding of OHS varies and depends on their years of work experience in Canada and overseas, the industry in which they have previously worked, the safety training they have experienced, and their encounters with injury.…”

“…Because of language barriers and the time required for overseas credentials to be recognized by Canadian regulatory bodies, many of these immigrants take up precarious employment. In Canada, precarious employment is prevalent among new immigrants, especially visible and linguistic minorities, making them more vulnerable to occupational injury and illness [ 14 , 15 ]. They become vulnerable when they enter the Canadian labor market with limited knowledge of OHS and work-related hazards [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Timing of Health Service Use Among Truck Drivers After a Work-Related Injury or Illness

“…Across many jurisdictions globally, funding healthcare is one of the main mechanisms by which workers’ compensation schemes assist injured workers in their recovery. As part of the workers’ compensation process, healthcare workers provide a vital role in examining injured worker’s conditions, determining the work-relatedness of injury, providing treatment and rehabilitation [ 1 ]. Thus, compensation schemes are critical in supporting not only injured workers and the workplace, but healthcare providers play a key role in facilitating an injured worker’s return to work.…”