TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2019//
TI  - Implementation of early intervention protocol in Australia for 'high risk' injured workers is associated with fewer lost work days over 2 years than usual (stepped) care
JO  - Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation
A1  - Nicholas, M. K.
A1  - Costa, D. S. J.
A1  - Linton, S. J.
A1  - Main, C. J.
A1  - Shaw, W. S.
A1  - Pearce, G.
A1  - Gleeson, M.
A1  - Pinto, R. Z.
A1  - Blyth, F. M.
A1  - McCauley, J. H.
A1  - Smeets, R. J. E. M.
A1  - McGarity, A.
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - PURPOSE To evaluate whether a protocol for early intervention addressing the psychosocial risk factors for delayed return to work in workers with soft tissue injuries would achieve better long-term outcomes than usual (stepped) care. <br><br>METHODS The study used a controlled, non-randomised prospective design to compare two case management approaches. For the intervention condition, workers screened within 1-3 weeks of injury as being at high risk of delayed returned to work by the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire-short version (ÖMPSQ-SF) were offered psychological assessment and a comprehensive protocol to address the identified obstacles for return to work. Similarly identified injured workers in the control condition were managed under usual (stepped) care arrangements. <br><br>RESULTS At 2-year follow-up, the mean lost work days for the Intervention group was less than half that of the usual care group, their claim costs were 30% lower, as was the growth trajectory of their costs after 11 months. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS The findings supported the hypothesis that brief psychological risk factor screening, combined with a protocol for active collaboration between key stakeholders to address identified psychological and workplace factors for delayed return to work, can achieve better return on investment than usual (stepped) care.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1053-0487
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10926-019-09849-y
ID  - ref1
ER  -