In 1992, direct and indirect expenses of work-related disability were estimated at $171 billion. Despite this huge cost, factors affecting work disability and its long-term consequences are not well understood. Many believe that duration of occupational injury-related work disability is largely determined by non-medical factors such as job satisfaction, job physical demands, or Workers' Compensation benefits. We studied a population-based sample of workers with occupationally-related injuries to their lower back or upper extremities to determine factors associated with duration of work absence and long-term consequences of work injuries. Information, collected by a mailed, self-report questionnaire one year post-injury, included job satisfaction, employer response to the injury, economic, social and emotional changes due to the injury, changes in work capacities, medical treatments, and generic and disease-specific functional status. Logistic regression was used to model factors associated with duration of injury-related work absence. Only disease-specific functional status remained in the final model (OR of at least one week of work disability=3.01, 95% CI=1.48, 6.17). Thus, while non-health-related factors may influence the duration of work disability, perceived functional status appears to be a more important contributor. Disease-specific functions may play a greater role in length of work disability than generic functioning. They are more likely to be related to job activities and thus to affect job performance. Where possible, evaluations of occupational health services effectiveness should include measures of functions related to work activities.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: 1. Prioritize factors important when evaluating disability outcomes in occupational health care. 2. Identify instruments predictive of duration of work disability. 3. Apply knowledge of self-reported functional status measures to the evaluation of occupational health treatment effectiveness
Keywords: Occupational Health, Outcome Measures
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.