Study source: OHS Alerts Tuesday 11 August
2009
Workers who quickly take up light or modified duties after
suffering musculoskeletal or similar chronic-pain injuries are more
likely to return to their regular full-time duties within a year,
according to a US study.
The researchers surveyed more than 2,000 patients of a medical
facility who were being treated for work-related chronic disabling
musculoskeletal disorder (CDOMD).
They found that those who continued to work (at least 20 per cent
of the time) post-injury were nearly twice as likely as 'absentees'
(those who stayed at home) to regain their full-time status - and
cease medical treatment - within 12 months.
They also found that those who continued to work were more likely
than absentees to report either no or only mild depressive
symptoms.
Absentees, they said, were more likely to experience severe to
extreme levels of depression; be diagnosed with mood, anxiety,
panic or post-traumatic stress disorder; develop a drug dependency;
and perceive their condition as 'severely disabling'.
'Return to work is the philosophy of choice,' the researchers said,
'and is of the greatest benefit for both injured workers and
employers.'
When injuries occur, they said, employers should act swiftly to
prevent 'unnecessary' time away from work.
The worker should be assessed for his or her functional capacity,
limitations and medical restrictions, and their job demands
modified accordingly.
'The key to keeping costs low for the employer is to provide the
necessary treatment to the injured employee in a timely manner,'
they said.
The longer the delay between injury and action, the researchers
said, the more costs incurred.
Effects of Presenteeism in Chronic Occupational
Musculoskeletal Disorders: Stay at Work is Validated.
Krista Howard, et al, US, Journal of Occupational and
Environmental Medicine, Volume 51, Number 6, June 2009.
