Lack of Effective Communication to Injured Workers

Adding Genetic Testing to Evidence-Based Guidelines to Determine the Safest and Most Effective Chronic Pain Treatment for Injured Workers

Published guidelines for treating injured workers include the need for personalized treatment to manage chronic pain symptoms and increase functional status. However, they often fail to clarify how to objectively personalize these treatments. Further, certain patients need analgesic relief beyond the short term. In these cases, it is not sufficient or reasonable to utilize the typical broad pro...

Back injuries--getting injured workers back to work.

BACKGROUND Back problems are the seventh most common reason for seeking care in general practice in Australia. Despite medical advances, chronic disability from back pain is a major contributor to the burden of disease in society today. OBJECTIVE This article provides an overview of evidence based management for workers presenting with acute low back pain, with the aim of minimising the risk ...

Guideline for Prescribing Opioids to Treat Pain in Injured Workers.

Recently, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of opioids to treat chronic noncancer pain. Opioids are also being prescribed in stronger potencies and larger doses for musculoskeletal injuries. In some cases, the use of opioids for work-related injuries may actually increase the likelihood of disability. Chronic opioid use is associated with increased risk for overdose morbidity and mo...

Barriers to workers' compensation and medical care for injured Personal Assistance Services workers.

OBJECTIVES We documented barriers to workers' compensation and injury-related medical care faced by homecare or Personal Assistance Services (PAS) workers. We explored differences between independent providers and agency-employed workers. METHODS We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a diverse sample of 38 injured workers. Participants were primarily female and racial-ethnic ...

Can lack of communication kill?