Worker's compensation and return-to-work following orthopaedic injury to extremities.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the influence of workers' compensation coverage on injury patterns and return-to-work outcome in orthopaedic injuries of the extremities.


METHODS
Prospective and follow-up study.


METHODS
A total of 154 subjects were recruited and 37.7% of the injuries were covered by workers' compensation.


METHODS
Baseline data were obtained by questionnaire and chart review. The main outcome variable was time of first return to work. Subjects were followed up at 1, 3 and 6 months after initial interview. Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyse associations between potential predictors and return-to-work.


RESULTS
The workers' compensation group were most likely to be men employed in labour occupations and were most likely to sustain crushing injuries, or injuries from being struck by objects. The 6-month return-to-work rates for the workers' compensation and non-workers' compensation groups were 70.7% and 71.9%. Early return-to-work was associated with more years in higher education, and increased self-efficacy in both groups. Moreover, age older than 45 years and hospitalization less than 14 days were associated with early return-to-work in the non-workers' compensation group.


CONCLUSIONS
The injury patterns of workers' compensation and non-workers' compensation groups differed, but the likelihood of return-to-work at 6-month follow-up was similar. More years of education and self-efficacy were positive predictors of return-to-work.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, E-Da Hospital and I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Wen-Hsuan
WH
Hou
Jau-Yih
JY
Tsauo
Ching-Hua
CH
Lin
Huey-Wen
HW
Liang
Chung-Li
CL
Du
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000328:Adult; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014942:Workers' Compensation