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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20140752 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Introduction Most workers who incur an injury on the job follow a relatively straightforward path through a workers' compensation claim, recovery and return to work. However, a minority of compensation claims is prolonged and can be disproportionately costly. We conducted this qualitative study in order to gain an understanding of systemic, process-related problems affecting injured workers who had failed to return to work as expected. Method A total of 69 in-depth interviews were conducted with injured workers with complex and extended workers' compensation claims and with return-to-work (RTW) providers such as health care providers, insurers, legal advisors, and workplaces. The study was based in Ontario, Canada. A modified grounded theory analysis led to the identification of common mechanisms in RTW problems. Results We identify problems with return to work and extended workers' compensation claims in dysfunctions in organizational dynamics across RTW systems including the workplace, healthcare, vocational rehabilitation and workers' compensation. These system problems are difficult to identify because they appear as relatively mundane and bureaucratic. These appeared to have damaging effects on workers in the form of a 'toxic dose' affecting the worker beyond the initial injury. Conclusions Worker's problems with extended claims were linked to RTW policies that did not easily accommodate conflict or power imbalances among RTW parties and by social relations and processes that impeded communication about RTW situations and problems. Avenues for intervention are located in a shift to a critical lens to RTW process that addresses differences of knowledge, resources, and interests among different parties. |
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Authors:
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Ellen MacEachen; Agnieszka Kosny; Sue Ferrier; Lori Chambers |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of occupational rehabilitation Volume: 20 ISSN: 1573-3688 ISO Abbreviation: J Occup Rehabil Publication Date: 2010 Sep |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-08-19 Completed Date: 2010-12-15 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 9202814 Medline TA: J Occup Rehabil Country: Netherlands |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 349-66 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Institute for Work & Health, 481 University Avenue, Suite 800, Toronto, ON, M5G 2E9, Canada. emaceachen@iwh.on.ca |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Accidents, Occupational
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economics* Adult Aged Communication* Delivery of Health Care / organization & administration Educational Status Employment* Female Health Personnel* Humans Interviews as Topic Male Middle Aged Ontario Personnel Management Policy Professional-Patient Relations Qualitative Research Rehabilitation, Vocational Workers' Compensation / organization & administration* Workplace / organization & administration* |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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