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Abstract #152279

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Michael B. Lax, MD MPH and Rosemary Klein, C-ANP MS COHN. Family Medicine SUNY Upstate Medical University, Central New York Occupational Health Clinical Center, 6712 Brooklawn Parkway Suite 204, Syracuse, NY 13211, 315-432-8899, laxm@upstate.edu

The impact of an occupational illness or injury on an injured worker can be severe. This study assessed several dimensions of the impact on a group of fifty injured workers, all patients at an Occupational Health Center. The dimensions assessed included aspects of access to health care, support from treating physicians in obtaining Workers' Compensation benefits, financial impacts, the role of attorneys and “Independent Medical examiners”, and the impact on mental health.The results showed almost two thirds of respondents lost their health insurance after diagnosis with a work related illness or injury, most for more than a year. Many reported that their treating physician did not want to become involved in Workers' Compensation, despite indicating a belief the health condition was work related. The financial impacts of a work related diagnosis were particularly striking, with respondents reporting that they were burdened with both costs directly related to the medical care of their condition, and with coping with ongoing general expenses on a reduced income. Many respondents reported depleting savings, borrowing money, taking out retirement funds, and declaring bankruptcy in efforts to cope. Emotionally, respondents almost universally reported their diagnosis and associated issues were associated with depression, anxiety, and loss of identity and self worth.This study demonstrates how a work related injury or illness can extend far beyond the physical impact for injured workers. Existing systems fail to adequately compensate or rehabilitate injured workers, leaving them to their own devices to deal with their losses, medical or otherwise.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Recognize that occupational injuries and illnesses have significant impact on many injured workers beyond the physical effects of the injury/illness.
• 2. Articulate some specific impacts of an occupational disease/injury on an injured worker.
• 3. Analyze the context giving rise to the identified impacts on injured workers.
• 4. Develop ideas to reduce the occurrence and severity of the social and economic factors adversely impacting injured workers.

Keywords: Occupational Health Care, Occupational Disease

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

• Audio (mp3) recording
• Slides (pdf) or Handout
• Multimedia recording