Physical therapists who claimed workers' compensation: a qualitative study.
OBJECTIVE
Although most physical therapists experience work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) at some time, only a small minority claim workers' compensation. This article describes the experiences of a group of therapists with WMSDs who made compensation claims.


METHODS
Interviews were used to document the experiences of physical therapists who reported that they had changed their career because of WMSDs.


CONCLUSIONS
Therapists described their experiences in negative terms and found dealing with the workers' compensation system frustrating and unpleasant. They encountered attitudes that labeled them as malingerers and felt their credibility was questioned.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical therapists' experiences of the workers' compensation system were negative, and they were keen to become independent of it. Those who claimed workers' compensation perceived that a compensable claim could limit their employment opportunities, making confidentiality an important issue when treating other health care professionals.
Cromie
Jean E
JE
School of Occupational Therapy, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086 Australia. j.cromie@latrobe.edu.au
Robertson
Valma J
VJ
Best
Margaret O
MO
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003219:Confidentiality; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty; D011287:Prejudice; D015995:Prevalence; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data