Prediction of Vocational Outcomes for Workers' Compensation Claimants with Back Injury

Abstract

This is a retrospective study that examined predictor variables for postinjury employment outcome of workers' compensation claimants with back injury. Vocational status (returned to work, not returned to work) was used to reflect employment outcome. Using a binary stepwise logistical regression analysis, we found that education, age, physical demands of the job at injury, and mandated vocational rehabilitation independently added information that enhanced the ability to predict claimants who would return to work. The findings support the position that providers of vocational rehabilitation services must be aware of the influence specific demographic and vocational factors may have on employment outcomes for workers' compensation claimants with back injury.

Topics and trends in research on non-clinical interventions aimed at preventing prolonged work disability in workers compensated for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs): a systematic, comprehensive literature review

“…Although multiple predictors are tested in the literature in order to link them to the different stages of disability and RTW status [14,120,[122][123][124][125][126][127][128], little information is provided on the characteristics of interventions likely to prevent the development of prolonged disability or RTW in ''good health'' [129]. There appears to be a growing consensus that psychological (distress, depression, readiness to change) and ergonomic workplace factors (work support, work satisfaction) are predictors of RTW outcomes and play an important role in early psychosocial intervention [98,130,131].…”

Employments effects of Vocational Rehabilitation in Germany

“…The level of prior education has also been found to be strongly correlated with return-to-work outcomes (Blackwell et al, 2004;Cancelliere et al, 2016;Giesen J. & Cavenaugh Brenda, 2013); the likelihood of successfully returning to work increases with additional education.…”

“…These two results do not come as a surprise since the complex relationship between demographic and work factors in relation to employment outcomes has been evident in rehabilitation and disability research for quite some time. In particular, age and return-to-work outcomes are negatively correlated (Blackwell, Leierer, Haupt, Kampitsis, & Wolfson, 2004;Cancelliere et al, 2016;Dodoo-Schittko et al, 2017;Valentin et al, 2016;Van Muijen et al, 2013). A possible explanation is that older workers are less likely to adapt to new situations and have poorer labor market chances than younger applicants.…”

“…Various studies have also detected that education is a useful predictor of return-towork outcomes (Blackwell et al, 2004;Cancelliere et al, 2016;Giesen J. & Cavenaugh Brenda, 2013).…”

“…Age and return-to-work outcomes are negatively correlated (Blackwell et al, 2004;Cancelliere et al, 2016;Dodoo-Schittko et al, 2017;Valentin et al, 2016;Van Muijen et al, 2013). A possible explanation is that older workers are less likely to adapt to new situations and have poorer chances on the labor market than younger applicants.…”