The studies found that size fits all’ clinical The qualitative component of the study ‘one management by health practitioners throughout (interviews with injured workers) identified the the injury persisted despite evidence of the impact of positive support and providing of worker’s changing risk profile. This approach suitable duties (from worker perspective). was associated with poor outcomes and Training and encouragement in included passive treatment (medications, scans, by health practitioners and return rest and reduced activity) contrary to to work consultants were key to recovery in recommendations. those assessed as at high risk. Interventions by clinical practitioners did not Implication: It is critically important to involve address broader issues such as non-supportive the injured worker in self-management and as a workplace, lack of suitable duties, workplace or full participant in managing their own rehabilitation relationship conflict. As a rehabilitation, return to work and recovery consequence even with relatively low level process. of individual risk factors (e.g. catastrophizing, depression, anxiety) were more likely to have poor outcomes. Specific findings Ill directed interventions The results from the data derived from The study findings indicated that quantitative and qualitative assessment of inappropriately applied intervention can individuals and accompanied by database significantly worsen return to work outcomes for outcomes are provided here. those already at risk and also increases the likelihood of poor outcomes in those initially high pain intensity and quality assessed at low personal risk. In those initially high perceived disability which was scoring as mild risk, poor outcomes were impacting on most home, work, associated with poor and non-supportive recreational and social activities workplace, claims or health management. excessive pain focus and fear of Proactive support and training of injured aggravating pain through normal daily activity workers in self-management skills were beliefs about having a negative future associated with improved outcomes even for prognosis and belief that work activities those initially assessed as at risk. were unsafe Implication: Apply appropriate and poor pain related self-efficacy, poor belief targeted management strategies for optimal in own self-management of pain recovery. prominent psychological distress including anxiety and depressive symptoms, poor coping perception of non-supportive workplace, suitable duties not available early in injury
The studies found that ‘one size fits all’ clinical management by health practitioners throughout the injury persisted despite evidence of the worker’s changing risk profile. This approach was associated with poor outcomes and included passive treatment (medications, scans, rest and reduced activity) contrary to recommendations. Interventions by clinical practitioners did not address broader issues such as non-supportive workplace, lack of suitable duties, workplace or rehabilitation relationship conflict. As a consequence even with relatively low level of individual risk factors (e.g. catastrophizing, depression, anxiety) were more likely to have poor outcomes. Ill directed interventions The study findings indicated that inappropriately applied intervention can significantly worsen return to work outcomes for those already at risk and also increases the likelihood of poor outcomes in those initially assessed at low personal risk. In those initially scoring as mild risk, poor outcomes were associated with poor and non-supportive workplace, claims or health management. Proactive support and training of injured workers in self-management skills were associated with improved outcomes even for those initially assessed as at risk. Implication: Apply appropriate and management strategies for optimal recovery. The qualitative component of the study (interviews with injured workers) identified the impact of positive support and providing of suitable duties (from worker perspective). Training and encouragement in by health practitioners and return to work consultants were key to recovery in those assessed as at high risk. Implication: It is critically important to involve the injured worker in self-management and as a full participant in managing their own rehabilitation, return to work and recovery process. Specific findings The results from the data derived from quantitative and qualitative assessment of individuals and accompanied by database outcomes are provided here. high pain intensity and quality high perceived disability which was impacting on most home, work, recreational and social activities excessive pain focus and fear of aggravating pain through normal daily activity beliefs about having a negative future prognosis and belief that work activities were unsafe poor pain related self-efficacy, poor belief in own self-management of pain prominent psychological distress including anxiety and depressive symptoms, poor coping perception of non-supportive workplace, suitable duties not available early in injury targeted
Outcomes-of-early-psychosocial-screening.docx