Réadaptation au travail

A classification of components of workplace disability management programs: results from a systematic review

Ginette Vadnais — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:00:00 GMT

Purpose: This paper presents results from a Campbell systematic review on the nature and effectiveness of workplace disability management programs (WPDM) promoting return to work (RTW), as implemented and practiced by employers. A classification of WPDM program components, based on the review results, is proposed. Methods: Twelve databases were searched between 1948 to July 2010 for peer-reviewed studies of WPDM programs provided by employers to re-entering workers with occupational or non-occupational illnesses or injuries. Screening of articles, risk of bias assessment and data extraction were conducted in pairs of reviewers. Studies were clustered around various dimensions of the design and context of programs. Results: 16,932 records were identified by the initial search. 599 papers were assessed for relevance. Thirteen studies met inclusion criteria. Twelve peer reviewed articles (two non-randomized studies, and ten single group experimental before and after studies), including ten different WPDM programs informed the synthesis of results. Narrative descriptions of the included program characteristics provided insight on program scope, components, procedures and human resources involved. However, there were insufficient data on the characteristics of the sample and the effect sizes were uncertain. A taxonomy classifying policies and practices around WPDM programs is proposed. Conclusion: There is insufficient evidence to draw conclusions on the effectiveness of employer provided WPDM programs promoting RTW. It was not possible to determine if specific program components or specific sets of components are driving effectiveness. The proposed taxonomy may guide future WPDM program evaluation and clarify the setup of programs offered to identify gaps in existing company strategies.

Source : Gensby U, Labriola M, Irvin E, Amick BC, Lund T. J. Occup. Rehabil. 2013; ePub. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10926-013-9437-x

Maladies chroniques et travail : l'exemple danois du programme "Return To Work"

Ginette Vadnais — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Les maladies chroniques évolutives posent un challenge majeur en matière de santé en Europe. Mais elles ont aussi un impact substantiel sur le marché du travail et la vie professionnelle. Des actions sur l’organisation du travail peuvent pourtant être menées pour améliorer la situation des salariés et celle des entreprises. Le réseau Anact est l'opérateur pour la France d'un projet réunissant 18 pays de l'Union sur ce sujet. Retour d'expérience sur une initiative danoise

Source : http://www.anact.fr/web/International/Bonnes_pratiques_detail?p_thingIdToShow=32501605

Work Conditions, Recovery and Health: A Study among Workers within Pre-School, Home Care and Social Work

Ginette Vadnais — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:30:00 GMT

The study investigated the working conditions associated with the accumulation of stress and lack of recovery and how recovery is related to health. The study group was employed in pre-school, home care and social work (n = 193). Recovery was assumed to be an explanatory variable for the relations between work and health. The response rate on a survey was 79 per cent. Cluster analysis identified three groups: the ‘Recovered’ (36 per cent of the total group) and ‘Not Recovered’ (25 per cent) and the ‘In-between’ (39 per cent). The Not Recovered displayed the whole chain of risk factors, involving difficult working conditions to which they responded with increased compensatory strategies. Despite this group having significantly greater reports of ill health, work absenteeism was not greater, which is likely related to their substituting sickness absence with sickness presence. As many as 43 per cent of the social workers were found to belong to the Not Recovered group. Multiple regression analyses controlling for background variables revealed that the Not Recovered group had a significantly higher relative risk for poor self-rated health than those in the Recovered group. Even sharper increases in relative risk existed for the other five symptoms that were analysed. Practical implications and new research questions are discussed.

Source : Gunnar Aronsson*, Wanja Astvik and Klas Gustafsson. Br J Soc Work, first published online March 4, 2013 doi:10.1093/bjsw/bct036.
http://bjsw.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2013/03/04/bjsw.bct036.abstract

The `Ability' Paradigm in Vocational Rehabilitation: Challenges in an Ontario Injured Worker Retraining Program

Ginette Vadnais — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:30:00 GMT

Introduction In recent years, a focus on workers' ability, rather than impairment, has guided disability management services. However, a challenge with the notion of `ability' is identification of the border between ability and inability. This article considers this gray zone of disability management in the case of a workers' compensation vocational retraining program for injured workers in Ontario. Methods In-depth interviews and focus groups were conducted with a purposive sample of 71 participants who were directly involved with the vocational retraining process. Workers in the program had on average incurred injury 3 years earlier. Procedural and legal documents were also analyzed. Principles of grounded theory and discourse analysis guided the data gathering and analysis. Results A program focus on worker abilities did not allow for consideration of unresolved medical problems. Concepts such as maximum medical rehabilitation distracted attention from workers' ongoing chronic and unstable health situations, and incentive levers to employers directed some of the least capable workers into the program. As well, communication pathways for discussing health problems were limited by rules and provider reluctance to reveal problems. Therefore, workers completing the program were deemed `employable', while ongoing and problematic health conditions preventing employment remained relatively uncharted and invisible. Conclusions This study reinforces how the shift in disability management paradigm to a focus on ability and return to work requires consideration of environmental conditions, including policies and programs and implementation. A focus on the environment in which worker ability can be enacted might be as important as a focus on improving individual worker characteristics.
Keywords: Workers' compensation; Vocational rehabilitation; Injured workers; Qualitative; Vocational retraining; Program implementation

MacEachen, E.; Kosny, A.; Ferrier, S.; Lippel, K.; Neilson, C.; Franche, R.; Pugliese, D. The `Ability' Paradigm in Vocational Rehabilitation: Challenges in an Ontario Injured Worker Retraining Program. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, Vol. 22, no 1, March 2012 , p. 105-117(13). http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10926-011-9329-x

Short-term goal attainment of in-patient rehabilitation in Germany and long-term risk of early retirement in patients with musculoskeletal diseases: results from a prospective 5-year follow-up study

Ginette Vadnais — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Purpose: Occupational consequences of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are consistently found in epidemiological studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of various short-term rehabilitation outcome parameters on early retirement in Germany. Method: In a prospective multi-centre cohort study of self-rated patient status, physician chosen therapy goals and attainment were measured by means of standardized questionnaires at the beginning and end of medical rehabilitation. Information with regard to disability was collected by self-report over a 5-year follow-up period. Results: We included 1268 MSD patients aged 45-57 who underwent a 3-week, multidisciplinary, in-patient rehabilitation programme in 10 rehabilitation centres in Southern Germany between January and December 2001. During follow-up (mean duration: 3.9 years) 117 (9%) patients received a disability pension. After adjustment for sex, age and patient outcomes, risk for early retirement was significantly increased for patients with only partial success with respect for the therapy goals pain reduction (HR 1.95), improvement in spine motility (HR 1.6) and improvement of muscle strength (HR 2.3). Patients who did not have the therapy goal were at the same risk as patients with full goal achievement. Conclusions: Clinicians' rating of short-term therapy outcome might be of prognostic relevance of MSD patients' long-term employment status.

Source : Authors: Neuner, Ralf1; Braig, Stefanie1; Weyermann, Maria; Kaluscha, Rainer; Krischak, Gert. Disability and Rehabilitation, Volume 35, Number 8, April 2013 , pp. 656-661(6). http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2012.703756

Validity and Reliability of the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) in Workers with Upper Extremity Injuries

Ginette Vadnais — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:00:00 GMT

Introduction Fear Avoidance Beliefs (FAB) have been associated with increased pain, dysfunction and difficulty returning to work in Upper Extremity (UE) injures. The FABQ is used to assess FAB, but its measurement properties have not been established in UE. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the reliability and validity of the FABQ to screen UE compensated injured workers for FAB. Methods Consenting workers attending a specialty clinic completed a modified FABQ, QuickDASH (Disability), SPADI Pain Score and von Korff Chronic Pain Grade (Pain), SF-36v2 (General Health), and Work Instability Scale (Job Instability). A sub-sample of workers (n = 48) completed the FABQ 2 weeks later for test-retest reliability. Results 187 workers; 54.0% male; mean age 45.2 (sd 9.68); 56% were currently working. Mean subscale scores (FABQ-Work [FABQ-W]/FABQ-Physical Activity [FABQ-PA]) were 35/42 and 20/24. Ceiling effects (23%/38%) existed in both subscales. Cronbach's alphas were 0.75/0.78. Test-retest analysis (ICC(2,1)) was lower than desired (0.52/0.59). Construct validation was supported by a moderate correlation between FABQ-W/FABQ-PA and QuickDASH Work Module (0.51/0.42) and WIS (0.46/0.38) in those currently working. Low correlations were found between the subscales measures of pain (SPADI: 0.24/0.23; Chronic Pain Grade: 0.25/0.25), and SF-36 MCS (−0.25/−0.30). Conclusions Although FAB is an important concept to measure in compensated UE injured workers, the FABQ had limitations in this population as there was a high ceiling effect, and lower than desired reliability for individual discrimination. A priori hypotheses around construct validity were rejected for 16/22 concepts tested.
Keywords: Measurement; Reliability and validity; Fear avoidance; Workers' compensation

Source : Inrig, Taucha; Amey, Bev; Borthwick, Cheryl; Beaton, Dorcas. Validity and Reliability of the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) in Workers with Upper Extremity Injuries. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, vol. 22, no 1, March 2012 , p. 59-70(12). http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10926-011-9323-3

Injured Workers' Construction of Expectations of Return to Work with Sub-Acute Back Pain: The Role of Perceived Uncertainty

Ginette Vadnais — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:00:00 GMT

Introduction: Little is known about the formation of expectations of return to work (RTW) from the perspective of injured workers with back injuries. This modified grounded theory study uses a biopsychosocial approach that considers the workers' complex social circumstances, to unpack the multidimensional construct of expectations of RTW from the injured worker's perspective. Method: Initial semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 individuals with sub-acute back pain, who were off work between 3 and 6 months. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 7 participants for the purposes of member checking. The interview data was coded, compared and analyzed over the course of data collection, until saturation was reached. Results: Data analysis revealed that expectations of return-to-work are constructed based on perceived uncertainty which subsumes five inter-related categories (1) perceived lack of control over the return-to-work process, (2) perceived lack of recognition by others of the impact of the injury, (3) perceived inability to perform the pre-injury job, (4) fear of re-injury, and (5) perceived need for workplace accommodations. Expectations, once formed, were influenced by the worker's experience of coping with perceived uncertainty. Conclusion: Perceived uncertainty plays a key role in injured workers' formation of expectations of return-to-work. Implications are discussed regarding how this perceived uncertainty plays a role in the development of (re)injury prevention and rehabilitation programs. The importance of further research on perceived uncertainty is presented, along with potential future research considerations.

Source: Stewart, Alison; Polak, Emily; Young, Richard; Schultz, Izabela. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, Vol. 22, no 1, March 2012 , p. 1-14(14). http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10926-011-9312-6

Predicting Return to Work in Workers with All-Cause Sickness Absence Greater than 4 Weeks: A Prospective Cohort Study

Ginette Vadnais — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:00:00 GMT

Introduction Long-term sickness absence is a major public health and economic problem. Evidence is lacking for factors that are associated with return to work (RTW) in sick-listed workers. The aim of this study is to examine factors associated with the duration until full RTW in workers sick-listed due to any cause for at least 4 weeks. Methods In this cohort study, health-related, personal and job-related factors were measured at entry into the study. Workers were followed until 1 year after the start of sickness absence to determine the duration until full RTW. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR). Results Data were collected from N = 730 workers. During the first year after the start of sickness absence, 71% of the workers had full RTW, 9.1% was censored because they resigned, and 19.9% did not have full RTW. High physical job demands (HR .562, CI .348-.908), contact with medical specialists (HR .691, CI .560-.854), high physical symptoms (HR .744, CI .583-.950), moderate to severe depressive symptoms (HR .748, CI .569-.984) and older age (HR .776, CI .628-.958) were associated with a longer duration until RTW in sick-listed workers. Conclusions Sick-listed workers with older age, moderate to severe depressive symptoms, high physical symptoms, high physical job demands and contact with medical specialists are at increased risk for a longer duration of sickness absence. OPs need to be aware of these factors to identify workers who will most likely benefit from an early intervention.
Keywords: Return to work; Long-term sickness absence; Prognostic factors

Source : Vlasveld, M.; Feltz-Cornelis, C.; Bültmann, U.; Beekman, A.; Mechelen, W.; Hoedeman, R.; Anema, J. Predicting Return to Work in Workers with All-Cause Sickness Absence Greater than 4 Weeks: A Prospective Cohort Study. .Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, vol. 22, no 1, March 2012 , p. 118-126(9). http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10926-011-9326-0

Factors that Predict Return-to-work in Workers with PTSD

Ginette Vadnais — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a clinical condition that may develop following exposure to a traumatic event. PTSD can be triggered by traumatic workplace events including robbery, assault, or injury. Many workers who develop PTSD after a traumatic work event fail to return to work, and the factors that influence this transition are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers that impede return-to-work (RTW) in individuals who develop PTSD after experiencing a traumatic event in the workplace. The researchers were also interested in examining whether features of a work environment, or anger/blame towards the employer, could be used to predict RTW in individuals experiencing work-related PTSD.

Source :
http://www.worksafebc.com/contact_us/research/research_results/res_60_10_1100.asp
http://www.worksafebc.com/contact_us/research/funding_decisions/assets/pdf/2007/RS2007_IG25.pdf

Studies reveal crucial role of co-workers in return-to-work process

Ginette Vadnais — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Co-workers can play an important role after a work-related injury. They can provide details about the circumstances of an accident, offer emotional support to the injured worker and help with job tasks upon a co-worker's return to work (RTW). Working with an injured co-worker, however, can also strain work relationships and increase workload. The purpose of this study was to determine the role that co-workers play after a work-related injury and during the RTW process in the unionized, electrical construction sector. Methods We conducted two focus groups with injured electricians and union representatives. We also interviewed co-workers who had worked with someone who had been injured in the course of employment. We examined the role that co-workers can play after a work-related injury and some of the factors facilitating and hindering co-worker support. Results The structure of work in the electrical sector—a focus on cost-cutting and competition, job insecurity, perceptions of “different camps” among co-workers, little modified work and poor formal communication—can impede co-worker support and contribute to making injured workers' experiences difficult. Management can play an important role in setting an example for how injured workers are regarded and treated. Conclusions Future research should explore how workers can better be supported after a work-related injury and during the RTW process.

Source : http://www.cos-mag.com/human-resources/hr-stories/studies-reveal-crucial-role-of-co-workers-in-return-to-work-process.html

Agnieszka Kosny, Marni Lifshen, Diana Pugliese, Gary Majesky, Desre Kramer, Ivan Steenstra, Sophie Soklaridis, Christine Carrasco. Buddies in Bad Times? The Role of Co-workers After a Work-Related Injury. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, December 2012. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10926-012-9411-z

Internal consistency and construct validity of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire adapted for work disability following a musculoskeletal disorder

Ginette Vadnais — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 17:00:00 GMT

To assess internal consistency and construct validity of the French version of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire adapted for Work Disability (IPQR-WD). Method: A cross sectional study was conducted in rehabilitation centers and private clinics in the Montreal region of Canada, involving 43 men and women, French speaking, absent from work between 3 months and a year due to musculoskeletal disorders. The 9 dimension IPQR-WD and the following eight-related instruments for construct validity were administered: Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Psychological Distress Index (PDI-14), Pain Disability Index (PDI), Self-Efficacy for Return to Work Scale (SERWS), Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory (PBPI), Implicit Models of Illness Questionnaire (IMIQ) and a Visual Analog Scale for pain intensity (VAS). Results: Calculations of Cronbach's α (from 0.58 to 0.87) revealed satisfactory internal consistency of the IPQR-WD dimensions. Multiple regression analyses were performed with each IPQR-WD dimension and significant independent variables. Final models explained a good proportion of the variance (adjusted r2 = 0.33-0.70) for each dimension, except for the Cyclical timeline dimension for which associations became non-significant after adjusting for gender, age and length of sick leave. The SERWS and the VAS were not significantly associated to any of the IPQR-WD dimensions. Conclusions: Moderate to strong correlations were found with six-related instruments which support the multidimensional nature of the IPQR-WD and its unique contribution as one simple questionnaire that can assess representations related to work disability. Certain unhelpful beliefs related to the worker's own understanding (i.e. representation) of his/her current health condition may lead to behaviours that are poorly adapted to reducing the work disability following a musculoskeletal disorder.
The Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire adapted for Work Disability (IPQR-WD) is the only questionnaire available in French that can specifically assess the worker's representation following a musculoskeletal disorder. The use of this questionnaire will facilitate a systematic evaluation of the worker's representation according to a biopsychosocial approach, which may contribute to a clinical practice based on the latest scientific evidences available in the work disability field.

Source : Albert, Valérie; Coutu, Marie-France; Durand, Marie-José. Disability and Rehabilitation, Volume 35, Number 7, April 2013 , pp. 557-565. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2012.702849

How policy on employee involvement in work reintegration can yield its opposite: employee experiences in a Canadian setting

Ginette Vadnais — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:22:00 GMT

Canada has a long tradition of involving employee representatives in developing work reintegration policies and expects this to positively affect employee involvement to improve work reintegration success. The purpose of this study was to examine employee involvement in reintegration in a Canadian province as experienced by employees. Method: Fourteen semi-structured interviews were held with employees in a healthcare organization. The interview topic list was based on a review of local reintegration policy documents and literature. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using ethnographic methodology. Results Employees do not feel in control of their reintegration trajectory. In the phase of reporting sickness absence, they wrestle with a lack of understanding on how to report in sick. In the phase of reintegration planning and coordination, they hesitate to get involved in the organization of reintegration. In the phase of reintegration plan execution, employees encounter unfulfilled expectations on interventions. Conclusion: Employee involvement in the organization of reintegration makes them responsible for the development of reintegration trajectories. However, they consider themselves often incapable of completing this in practice. Moreover, employees experience that their contribution can boomerang on them. It is not that employees are not able to think along or decide on their reintegration trajectory but rather they are expected to do so at times when they cannot oversee their illness and/or recovery trajectory. Settings out reintegration procedures that are inflexible in practice do not recognize that employee involvement in work reintegration trajectories can develop over time. The disability management professional has a central role in organizing and supporting employee involvement in work reintegration, however, the employees do not experience this is indeed happening.

Source: Maiwald, Karin; Meershoek, Agnes; de Rijk, Angelique; Nijhuis, Frans. How policy on employee involvement in work reintegration can yield its opposite: employee experiences in a Canadian setting .Disability and Rehabilitation, vol. 35, no 7, 2013 , pp. 527-537. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2012.704123

Work-related psychosocial and mechanical risk factors for work disability

Ginette Vadnais — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:30:00 GMT

A 3-year follow-up study of the general working population in Norway

Objectives This study examines the impact of work-related psychosocial and mechanical risk factors for work disability in the general working population. Methods A randomly drawn cohort from the general population in Norway aged 18–66 years was followed for 3 years (N=12 550, 67% response rate at baseline). Eligible respondents were in paid work for ≥10 hours per week in 2006 and were still in paid work or had quit working because of health problems (work disability) in 2009 (N=6745). Five work-related psychosocial factors and eight mechanical exposures were measured. The outcome of interest was self-reported work disability at 3-year follow-up. Results In total, 2.6% (176 individuals) reported work disability at the 3-year follow-up. Disability rates were higher among women, older workers, and those with fewer years of education and higher levels of psychological distress and musculoskeletal complaints. After adjusting for these factors, work-related psychosocial predictors of disability were low levels of supportive leadership [odds ratio (OR) 1.61, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.02–2.56] and monotonous work (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.09–2.16). Mechanical factors were neck flexion (OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.36–4.56), prolonged standing (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.21–2.46), whole-body vibration (OR 4.15, 95% CI 1.77–9.71), and heavy physical work (OR 2.23. 95% CI 1.08–4.57). The estimated population risk attributable to these factors was about 45%. Conclusion Monotonous work, prolonged standing, neck flexion, and whole-body vibration appear to be the most consistent and important predictors of work disability.

Sterud T. Work-related psychosocial and mechanical risk factors for work disability. Scand J Work Environ Health, [online first; 17 December 2012] http://dx.doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3359

Internal consistency and construct validity of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire adapted for work disability following a musculoskeletal disorder

Ginette Vadnais — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:30:00 GMT

To assess internal consistency and construct validity of the French version of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire adapted for Work Disability (IPQR-WD). Method: A cross sectional study was conducted in rehabilitation centers and private clinics in the Montreal region of Canada, involving 43 men and women, French speaking, absent from work between 3 months and a year due to musculoskeletal disorders. The 9 dimension IPQR-WD and the following eight-related instruments for construct validity were administered: Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Psychological Distress Index (PDI-14), Pain Disability Index (PDI), Self-Efficacy for Return to Work Scale (SERWS), Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory (PBPI), Implicit Models of Illness Questionnaire (IMIQ) and a Visual Analog Scale for pain intensity (VAS) [...] Conclusions: Moderate to strong correlations were found with six-related instruments which support the multidimensional nature of the IPQR-WD and its unique contribution as one simple questionnaire that can assess representations related to work disability. Certain unhelpful beliefs related to the worker's own understanding (i.e. representation) of his/her current health condition may lead to behaviours that are poorly adapted to reducing the work disability following a musculoskeletal disorder. The Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire adapted for Work Disability (IPQR-WD) is the only questionnaire available in French that can specifically assess the worker's representation following a musculoskeletal disorder.
The use of this questionnaire will facilitate a systematic evaluation of the worker's representation according to a biopsychosocial approach, which may contribute to a clinical practice based on the latest scientific evidences available in the work disability field.

Source : Albert, Valérie; Coutu, Marie-France; Durand, Marie-José. Disability and Rehabilitation, Volume 35, Number 7, April 2013 , pp. 557-565
http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2012.702849

The incidence and impact of recurrent workplace injury and disease: a cohort study of WorkSafe Victoria, Australia compensation claims

Ginette Vadnais — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:40:00 GMT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and impact of recurrent workplace injury and disease over the period 1995-2008. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study using data from the state workers' compensation system database. SETTING: State of Victoria, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 448 868 workers with an accepted workers' compensation claim between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 2008 were included into this study. Of them, 135 349 had at least one subsequent claim accepted for a recurrent injury or disease during this period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of initial and recurrent injury and disease claims and time lost from work for initial and recurrent injury and disease. RESULTS: Over the study period, 448 868 workers lodged 972 281 claims for discrete occurrences of work-related injury or disease. 53.4% of these claims were for recurrent injury or disease. On average, the rates of initial claims dropped by 5.6%, 95% CI (-5.8% to -5.7%) per annum, while the rates of recurrent injuries decreased by 4.1%, 95% CI (-4.2% to -0.4%). In total, workplace injury and disease resulted in 188 978 years of loss in full-time work, with 104 556 of them being for the recurrent injury. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent work-related injury and disease is associated with a substantial social and economic impact. There is an opportunity to reduce the social, health and economic burden of workplace injury by enacting secondary prevention programmes targeted at workers who have incurred an initial occupational injury or disease.

Source : Ruseckaite R, Collie A. The incidence and impact of recurrent workplace injury and disease: a cohort study of WorkSafe Victoria, Australia compensation claims. BMJ Open 2013; 3(3): 12-002396. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2012-002396