It has been our impression, as staff at an Occupational Health Clinical Center, that patients with work related illnesses often have great difficulty accessing diagnostic and treatment services. Consequently we designed a study to investigate more quantitatively the nature and extent of barriers to medical services for patients with Workers' Compensation claims. Medical practices from various areas in our fifteen county region were identified from telephone directories. All practices listed among selected specialties were contacted by phone and were asked a brief set of standardized questions regarding referral practices. A number of barriers were identified by the survey including practices closed to any new patients, and others closed specifically to patients with Workers' Compensation claims. Barriers were also found to be widespread among practices accepting patients with Workers' Compensation claims, mostly focussed on obtaining guarantee of payment prior to accepting the patient for evaluation. The results were compared for different geographic areas and specialties. While the study showed some of the difficulties patients with occupational illnesses face attempting to access medical services, it most likely underestimated the extent of the problem. Attitudes and practices that impede access, but were not measurable will be discussed. Common reasons for restricting access for these patients will also be reviewed. Access to medical services is a critical issue for injured workers. Our study strongly suggests that measures to improve access are currently necessary to better serve the needs of workers with occupational illnesses.
Learning Objectives: 1)Attendees will be able to list major barriers impeding access to medical services for workers with occupational illness. 2) Attendees will develop an understanding of why identified barriers exist. 3)Attendees will be able to discuss the need for improved access to medical services as a component of Workers' Compensation reform efforts
Keywords: Workers' Compensation, Access to Health Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.