The concerns and issues of injured workers in relation to claims/injury management and rehabilitation: the need for new operational frameworks.
OBJECTIVE
This paper discusses some of the practical considerations from the injured workers' point of view that need to be taken into account when they are registered as claimants for Workers' Compensation.


RESULTS
Workers reported a range of impediments experienced in the return to work process that created considerable stress and concern. These included the erratic payment of economic benefits, indifferent case managers, the management of the stigma associated with a registered WorkCover claim, a general lack of information, disrespectful communication from service providers, and a suspicious response to their injury by the employer, co-workers and some professional service providers.


CONCLUSIONS
On this basis some suggestions can be made for improvements to practice.
Roberts-Yates
Christine
C
Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Flinders University of South Australia. cry@senet.com.au
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012944:Social Support; D013021:South Australia; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*