bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Navigating work disability paradigms and reform in Canada
Authors: Tompa Emile 
Published: November 2014

Objective: We investigate labour-market earnings of workers’ compensation claimants from three distinctly different workers’ compensation insurance support programs for claimants with permanent impairments. These three programs, which existed in Ontario, Canada in different periods over the last 25 years, are the Permanent Disability (PD) program, the Future Economic Loss (FEL) program, and the Loss of Earnings (LOE) program. The nature of benefit determination and the return to work supports provided by three programs are very different. The focus of the study is on evidence of programmatic impact on labour-market earnings recovery trajectories over nine years post injury.Methods: The study included claimants sampled from each of the three programs who sustained a permanent impairment from a work injury. Claimants were identified in a Revenue Canada tax file database known as the Longitudinal Administrative Databank (LAD), which is a longitudinal 20% simple random sample of all Canadian tax filers. Each claimant was matched with similar uninjured controls that were also in the LAD, based on sex, age, labour-market earnings amounts and trajectories in the four years prior to injury, and a propensity score. Statistical modeling analysis was undertaken to compare the labour-market earnings trajectories of claimants relative to their matched controls using data on earnings over the nine years post injury. Analyses focused on sub-strata defined by program, sex, age, permanent impairment level, and pre-injury earnings. A key issue of interest was to determine which program of supports resulted in the best labour-market earnings recovery.Results: Five distinct earnings recovery trajectories were identified. Claimants in various demographic and pre-injury earnings sub-strata from the LOE program cohort had a statistically significant lower probability of the lowest earnings recovery trajectory, and higher probability of the second highest trajectory compared to the PD cohort. Results for the LOE program were similar to the FEL program.Conclusions: Injured workers from the LOE program appear to fare better than claimants from the PD program and similarly to those from the FEL program in terms of labour-market earnings recovery over the nine years post injury. Across all programs, older claimants fare more poorly, and women fare worse than men in terms of labour-market earnings recovery.
Evidence-based treatment guidelines: at work in a microcosm
Authors: Whelan Patricia 
Published: November 2014

Background: Medical treatment under workers’ compensation represents just a miniscule portion (about 1 percent) of total medical costs in the U.S. Furthermore, legislation and rules are determined autonomously by each state.Objective: To study Workers’ Comp systems in each state and determine what, if any, impact states adopting the use of evidence-based treatment guidelines has had to outcomes within the respective states. Hypothesis: Worker’ comp medical care, and the outcomes of that care in each state, can theoretically represent a microcosm of what could be achieved in an entire country.Methods: A trend began in 2003, starting with California, for states to consider adopting Evidence-Based Treatment Guidelines EBTGs) as a mechanism to insure timely and quality care for injured workers by following the least invasive, most-effective treatments today's science has to offer. Bi-products to the effective implementation of EBTGs, include earlier return to work, better outcomes resulting in reduced indemnity costs, less friction in the system (providers know what treatments are authorized and will be paid for), fewer episodes of over-utilization of services, and decreased medical costs, benefiting employers, insurers, providers and business. Findings: Outcomes where true EBTG have been implemented: Ohio adopted EBTGs in 2003. A Pilot conducted in 2005 showed a decrease in medical costs by 64%, lost days by 69% and treatment delays by 77%. Texas adopted EBTG in 2006; Total costs have declined by 50%, patients are recovering more quickly, more providers are willing to treat these patients, opioid abuses have declined and many states are looking to adopt this model.Discussion: Other state outcomes and essential elements needed in an EBTG will be discussed, time permitting.Conclusion: Outcomes realized through the adoption/implementation of evidence-based treatment guidelines by selected states, need not be isolated to the US or to the “microcosm” of workplace injuries and illnesses. Countries adopting evidence-based treatments guidelines within their healthcare systems can benefit from the same results: more timely and quality care, better outcomes, reduced costs, less disputes, reduced utilization of unnecessary procedures and services.
Examining the adequacy / efficiency of the legal regime regarding the right of employment for people with disabilities in Malaysia
Authors: Wahab Harlida Abdul 
Published: November 2014

Objective: The study aims to explore factors of workplace injury and chronic illnesses patients in a return to work program which are associated with return to work outcomes.Design: A retrospective cohort study. Setting: Return to Work Department, Social Security Organisation, Malaysia. Method: All participants of the Return to Work Rehabilitation Program who were absent from work due to workplace injury and chronic illnesses between January 2008 and December 2013 with no other history of injury were included. The main outcome of the study was the number in days from day one of injury prior to return of gainful employment. Hierarchical multiple regression methods were used to determine the identified factors that influence the return to work outcome.Results: An initial study with data from January 2008 and December 2011 of cases with occupational injury showed 66% (n = 1,552) of the participants had returned to work. The average number of days to return to work was 201 days. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis identified duration of referral to the Return to Work rehabilitation program, monthly salary, Whole Person Impairment ratings, DASS 21 anxiety and DASS 21 stress scale as factors that influenced return to work, explaining 32% of the variance. However a continuous for the remaining cases such as cases with chronic illnesses will be included in the final results of this study.Conclusion: Currently, a total of 66% participants had returned to employment after occupational injury. It is essential to understand the complex pathway from the point of injury and illnesses until returning to work in order to develop more effective return to work practices.
Nigeria is a highly multicultural and multilingual society and is divided along class lines and in between these lines are less privileged disabled people who often suffer the most
Authors: Edwards Uzoma , Ike Osita , Aiminhiefe Mark Hobere 
Published: November 2014

Nigeria is made up of not less than 250 divergent ethnic nationalities and since independence in 1960 has had no success in reducing social inequality, social injustice and achieving even development, especially as it affects the disabled in our society. Furthermore, the neglect of the disabled is deliberately nurtured and sustained by the activities of the government, the ruling class and certain dominant social groups.This presentation will contend that if the existing widening gap between the rich and poor remains unchecked, the long term implication will be widespread instability that will lead to further disadvantage of the less privileged (including the disabled) in Nigeria. Although the future does not look bright, there are certain measures that can be put in place that can form the bedrock for instituting a society where every individual is recognised, nurtured, their full potential is developed and are given equal opportunity.
Neighbours’ attitudes toward people with disabilities in Melbourne
Authors: Team Tecle 
Published: November 2014

Deinstitutionalisation of Kew Residential Services (KRS) residents proceeded group by group and took place from October 2002 to April 2008. Residents relocated into either newly built or pre-purchased houses located across Melbourne. In Australia and other developed countries, limited studies suggest that people with intellectual and physical disabilities relocated into group homes have poor social integration into a community.This presentation is based upon findings from a quantitative research project aimed to investigate neighbours’ attitudes towards people with intellectual and physical disabilities living in the Inner Southern Region of Melbourne, who relocated to group homes after closure of KRS. The administered check list questionnaire contained three main parts, including (1) participants’ socio-demographic details, (2) information and strategies neighbours being introduced with the group home people, and (3) the Interaction with Disabled Persons (IDP) Scale. A total number of 290 participants whose properties located in the Inner Southern Region of Melbourne were randomly identified for participation in this study. The collected responses were analysed, applying descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, trivariate analysis, and multivariate analyses.The results of bivariate analyses revealed a statistically significant association between frequency of face-to-face contacts with the group home residents and neighbours’ attitudes towards them, indicating that neighbours who had contacts with the group home residents on a daily/weekly basis had more positive attitudes towards them than the neighbours who had contacts on a less frequent basis. Other variables that were identified as important in bivariate analysis were age, marital status and employment status, and were used in multivariate analysis.
A physiotherapy network provided with training, monitoring and support achieves improved return to work and health outcomes
Authors: Coburn Paul 
Published: November 2014

Background: In 2007, the Health and Disability Strategy Group (HDSG) of the TAC and Victorian WorkCover Authority recognised an opportunity to improve scheme outcomes by working more closely with health disciplines. To investigate whether this was feasible, a pilot program was proposed with a select group of physiotherapists. Objectives: To determine whether a network of physiotherapists who were provided with training, monitoring and support could achieve improved outcome in return to work and health outcomes.Method: In 2008, 92 physiotherapists undertook a select tender process and then completed training in return to work, the HDSG's Clinical Framework and familiarisation of the compensation system for work related and motor accident injuries. The outcomes of this network physiotherapist program were evaluated internally and by three independent research organisations to determine 1) impact on return to work, 2) impact on health outcomes, 3) patient satisfaction and 4) satisfaction of the physiotherapist providing the service. Results: When compared to non-network physiotherapist, the network physiotherapists demonstrated improved return to work for clients, better health outcomes, and greater patient satisfaction. Therapist satisfaction was also higher within the network physiotherapists.Discussion: This body of work conducted on a pilot group of physiotherapists demonstrates improved outcomes in a number of important domains for the management of worker's and motor accident injuries. It indicates that there is a benefit for schemes in supporting clinical programs. Current evidence suggests that compensable patients have worse health outcomes than their non-compensable counterparts. There is a need to promote programs that are beneficial to patients, compensable schemes and providers. Further investigation is required to demonstrate this benefit on a larger scale.Conclusions: This study indicates that there may be opportunities to improve health outcomes by investment from compensable bodies in training, support and monitoring of specific health disciplines.
Creating a compelling business case for employers; psychosocial benefit for mature workers
Authors: Gatt Kristine 
Published: November 2014

Twenty years ago, those of us in the allied health field were trained to believe that mature people didn't lodge workers’ compensation claims and mature workers didn't have injuries because they ‘knew their work environment so well’. Only 7 years ago, insurers believed that their book of claims in Workers’ Compensation had no age related correlation to claims costs. We now know that all of these assumptions do not stand up in relation to the current workforce in Australia and we are building a wealth of knowledge about the mature cohort in today's workforce.This presentation will guide the audience through the process of developing a compelling business case to assist employers understand the cost benefit of proactively engaging with their mature employees and the benefits for both the workers over fifty five years of age and businesses in Australia.In developing a business case, the first stage of a strategy is being formulated for the care and well-being of mature workers, this leads to preparedness for effective return to work measures in the event of injury and health maintenance strategies for mature workers. The side benefits to a business are vast; from reduced turnover and associated costs, the retention of knowledge to reduced insurance costs and productivity benefits.Five years of analytical data will be presented to demonstrate the trending, the influences and precautionary tales for those committed to the psychological well-being of the mature workforce in Australia.
Realising the health benefits of safe work - a continuing professional education for primary care practitioners
Authors: Sleigh Kevin 
Published: November 2014

Background: General Practitioners complete around 91% of compensable certificates, and play a significant role in promoting the awareness of the health benefits of work. The Australasian Consensus Statement on the Health Benefits of Work developed by the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (AFOEM) has been endorsed by 100 organisations including the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). The Victorian WorkCover Authority and TAC has undertaken a program of work focussing on the delivery of a general practice education and awareness raising program.Objectives: The objectives of the program were to; engage Medicare Locals to undertake a general practice education and awareness raising program, develop training materials for Medicare Local staff to undertake practice liaison visits, recruit and train General Practice peer educators to deliver in-practice education and develop and deliver content for continuing professional development events in selected Medicare Locals.Methods: A suite of educational resources were developed and tailored to suit delivery in a General Practice setting. The Medicare Locals were targeted if they had high certification rates, the educational events were delivered in-practice settings and Principal findings The practice target was reached in all Medicare Locals, a total of 457 general practices across the five Medicare Locals were visited. The program was successful in raising awareness of the health benefits of work amongst GPs and practice staff.Discussion: The education has given general practitioners the impetus to talk to patients early about the health benefits of work and has the potential for GPs to be more confident in their clinical management of compensable patients.Conclusion: That the educational program continue with the Victorian WorkCover Authority and TAC working with key peak bodies and medical colleges to ensure education about the Health Benefits of Safe Work become a mandatory component of all GP postgraduate training.
Developing a concise set of principles for use by clinicians and regulators to determine the need for treatment within a compensable setting
Authors: Coburn Paul 
Published: November 2014

Background: Delivering quality health services in a cost effective manner is becoming an increasingly critical issue for insurance companies and government agencies. The Clinical Framework used as part of peer review has been proposed as an alternative for institutions to control costs and maintain optimal clinical care.Objectives: To develop a concise set of principles for use by clinicians and regulators to determine the need for treatment within in a compensable setting.Method: The Clinical Framework was first implemented in 2003 at the Victorian WorkCover Authority as part of peer review of physiotherapy management of injured workers. It consists of five principles that clinicians and institutions use to determine the ongoing need for intervention. The Framework allows clinicians to exercise judgment in selecting treatment with due consideration to the evidence and patient's individual needs. Results: Following its introduction in 2003, it broadened to apply to chiropractic, osteopathy, psychology, and occupational therapy. In 2012 it was endorsed across Australia for motor accident and worker's compensation bodies by the representative bodies of the above disciplines. In 2013 Federal Minister Shorten released a review of the SRC Act which recommended amendments including “medical treatment must meet objective standards such as those in the Clinical Framework.”Discussion: This paper will discuss some of the issues that have been addressed in implementing the Clinical Framework on over 20,000 files over the past ten years.Conclusions: The Clinical Framework is a document that has won broad acceptance across the Australian compensable system in allied health as part of sustaining quality care while reducing unnecessary costs.
Quality evaluation of workers’ compensation hospital in Korea
Authors: Won Jong-Uk 
Published: November 2014

Background: The length of hospital stay among occupationally injured workers was too long comparing to national health insurance patients in Korea. Also return-to-work rate was low comparing to other countries. The Korea Workers’ Compensation & Welfare (COMWEL) has tried to upgrade the quality of care workers’ compensation contract hospitals since several years. One of the tries was to evaluate the workers’ compensation contract hospitals. However, many hospitals argued the appropriateness of the hospital evaluation.Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the appropriateness of the workers’ compensation contract hospital evaluation.Methods: The total number of 500 hospitals was selected to evaluate among about 5,500 contracts hospitals according to their size or the number of occupationally injured patients. The main evaluation items were hospital facilities and equipment, health personnel, including doctors, record keeping, appropriateness of hospital care, outcomes, including return-to-work, length of hospital stay, satisfaction, etc. Multiple logistic regression was performed to evaluate the appropriateness of the results of this hospital evaluation. The dependent variables were return-to-work rate and length of hospital stay and independent variables were severity of injured workers, disability rate, company size, etc.Results: The hospitals were classified three categories according to the evaluation score; high, middle, and low quality. The return-to-work rate of high-quality hospitals was significantly higher (odds ratio 1.81; CI 1.27 – 2.58) than others. However, the length of hospital stay was not different among them.Conclusion: Return-to-work rate is one of the useful indicators for evaluating the occupational health care. Even though these are preliminary results, this evaluation method for the occupational health care hospitals would be appropriate for the purpose. The more specific analysis should be needed.
DM for severely injured claimants in the Botswana motor vehicle accident fund
Authors: Kgosidiile Cross 
Published: November 2014

The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA Fund) started operations on 1 January 1987 to service third party cover from funds earned from a levy on fuel. Originally called the Motor Vehicle Insurance Fund, the MVA Fund has been going through profound change in order to deliver services that meet the expectations of its stakeholders. Over the years, the governing Act underwent reviews as a response to feedback from both the public and stakeholders. Currently the Fund is governed by the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund Act No. 15 of 2007, which is a hybrid of both a fault-based and a no fault compensation system. Severe Injuries MVA Fund has a total of 1 589 claimants who suffered severe injuries during road crashes.. Role of MVA Fund in management of the severely injured The Act has put emphasis on medical treatment and rehabilitation as one of its core mandates. The timeliness of medical attention and rehabilitation results in improved claimants’ outcomes. Some of the objectives of the Fund in managing these claimants include among others:
•Restoring claimants to highest possible level of functionality•Vocational rehabilitation•Return to work•Social rehabilitation Achievements by Botswana MVA FundDespite the challenges faced by developing countries, the Fund managed to:
•Remain sustainable hence continuing to deliver on its mandate•Support the severely injured by:
○medical and rehabilitation cover○loss of income o enhancement of quality of life e.g. house/workplace modification o providing social and welfare care○advocacy role•Build capacity in both government and non-governmental organisations as a long-term investment in the management of the severely injured.The Fund continues collaborating with relevant stakeholders and international bodies for best practice in managing these claimants.
Exploring the factors of workplace injury and chronic illness in return-to-work outcomes
Authors: Hussain Hafez 
Published: November 2014

Objective: The study aims to explore factors of workplace injury and chronic illnesses patients in a return to work program which are associated with return to work outcomes. Design: A retrospective cohort study. Setting: Return to Work Department, Social Security Organisation, Malaysia.Method: All participants of the Return to Work Rehabilitation Program who were absent from work due to workplace injury and chronic illnesses between January 2008 and December 2013 with no other history of injury were included. The main outcome of the study was the number in days from day one of injury prior to return of gainful employment. Hierarchical multiple regression methods were used to determine the identified factors that influence the return to work outcome.Results: An initial study with data from January 2008 and December 2011 of cases with occupational injury showed 66% (n = 1,552) of the participants had returned to work. The average number of days to return to work was 201 days. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis identified duration of referral to the Return to Work rehabilitation program, monthly salary, Whole Person Impairment ratings, DASS 21 anxiety and DASS 21 stress scale as factors that influenced return to work, explaining 32% of the variance. However an analysis of the remaining cases such as cases with chronic illnesses will be included in the final results of this study.Conclusion: Currently, a total of 66% participants had returned to employment after occupational injury. It is essential to understand the complex pathway from the point of injury and illnesses until returning to work in order to develop more effective return to work practices.