Martha Perla, MPA¹, Thomas M. Wickizer, PhD¹, Colleen Daly, MPH¹, and Gary F. Franklin, MD, MPH². (1) Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Box 357660, Seattle, WA 98195-7660, 206:616-2983, mperla@u.washington.edu, (2) Department of Environmental Health, University of Washington, Box 357660, Seattle, WA 98040

Most occupational health studies use short follow-up periods (= 12 months) to examine return-to-work outcomes for injured workers. These studies may not accurately reflect workers long term health outcomes and the ability to return and continue to work. We analyzed data gathered in a prior study of workers' compensation managed care in Washington State to examine work outcomes over an extended (2-year) period. In the prior study, 374 injured workers were surveyed 6 months and 2 years post injury. In the 2-year follow-up survey, data were gathered on patterns of employment, earnings, missed work time, use of work accommodations, and health outcomes. Ninety-one percent (341) of the workers indicated that they returned to work some time after their injury. Of these workers, 56% had one job, 20% had two jobs, 7% had three jobs, and 8% had four or more jobs since their injury. Workers with more than one job during the 2-year follow-up period had, on average, worse health status than workers who had only one job. Self-reported recovery status, SF-36 physical function score, SF-36 mental health score, and SF-36 pain score were significantly lower (p< 0.05) for workers who had multiple jobs compared to workers who had one job. The results of this study suggest the importance of assessing work and health outcomes over an extended (>12 months) period in order to obtain a more accurate picture of workers' post-injury experience. This additional information can contribute to the improved design of injury prevention programs and return-to-work interventions.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the limitations of using short-term return-to-work (= 12 months) outcome evaluations for end studies of work compensation patients.
• Describe employment patterns of injured workers that occur during a 2 year period.
• Understand the utility of examining long-term health and employment outcomes for end studies of work compensation patients.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.