• Petrina P Casey, Lynette Guy, and Ian D Cameron.
• Rehabilitation Studies Unit, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
• Work. 2014 Jan 1;48(1):11-20.

BackgroundAustralian workers' compensation data reports a reduction in injury rates and claim incidence but no improvement in Return to Work (RTW) rates.ObjectiveTo identify factors associated with a positive RTW outcome and describe those referred to Workplace Rehabilitation Providers (WRPs) in the New South Wales (NSW) Australian workers' compensation scheme.MethodsA retrospective review of 65,762 de-identified WRP case records over a 5 year period. 9,262 cases specifically referred for RTW assistance were analysed to identify factors associated with a positive RTW outcomeResultsOverall 47% of those referred for RTW services were able to upgrade their work status whilst 30% maintained their Stay at Work or pre-referral work status. The significant independent predictors associated with a positive RTW outcome were a shorter duration of disability (p< 0.001) (0R, 0.971; 95% CI, 0.964-0.977) and a higher socio economic index score (p=0.002) (OR, 1.131; 95% CI, 1.045-1.223).ConclusionsThe study suggests that WRPs are seeing an increased focus on management of workers with increasing disability, with socio-economic disadvantage, increasing age, from blue collar backgrounds. The duration of disability is a significant determinant in achieving positive RTW outcomes suggesting that injured workers should be referred earlier for RTW services.

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