Return to work experience of injured workers in a case management program.

ABSTRACT

A major goal of case management programs is the worker's timely return to work. Few studies have examined return to work from the perspective of the injured worker. This article describes the findings from the case management evaluation that describe the return to work experience of workers who sustained catastrophic injuries, or who had secondary conditions or complications following the injury occurrence. Among the factors determined to affect the return to work experience were structural factors (i.e., psychosocial variables including job satisfaction and relationship with employer and coworkers, financial pressures, and system issues such as securing benefits) and process factors (i.e., interaction with service providers and with the workers' compensation system). Outcomes are described in terms of satisfaction with services and return to work.