Evaluating Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation Services Among Injured Workers Treated in a Canadian Workers' Compensation System: A Population-Based Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of telerehabilitation for promoting return-to-work (RTW) among injured workers. METHODS: We conducted a pragmatic, quasi-experimental study comparing telerehabilitation, in-person, or hybrid services. Descriptive statistics analyzed demographics, occupational factors, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Kruskal-Wallis tests investigated differences between mode of delivery and changes in PROM scores. Logistic and Cox-proportional hazard regression examined associations between mode of delivery and RTW status or days receiving wage replacement benefits in the first-year post-discharge, respectively, while controlling for potential confounders. RESULTS: A slightly higher percentage of the 3,708 worker sample were male (52.8%). Mean (standard deviation (SD)) age across all delivery formats was 45.5 (12.5) years. Edmonton zone had the highest amount of telerehabilitation delivery (53.5%). The majority of workers had their program delivered in a hybrid format (54.1%) and returned to work (74.4%) at discharge. All PROMs showed improvement although differences across delivery formats were not clinically meaningful. Delivery via telerehabilitation had significantly lower odds of RTW at discharge (Odds Ratio: 0.82, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.70-0.97) and a significantly lower risk of experiencing suspension of wage replacement benefits in the first year following discharge (Hazard Ratio: 0.92, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.84-0.99). Associations were no longer significant when confounders were controlled for. CONCLUSION: RTW outcomes were not statistically different across delivery formats, suggesting that telerehabilitation is a novel strategy that may improve equitable access and earlier engagement in occupational rehabilitation. Factors such as gender and geographic location should be considered when deciding on service delivery format.

Saúde e reparação integral de comunidades camponesas em territórios da transposição do rio São Francisco / Health and comprehensive repair of peasant communities in territories of the São Francisco River transposition

Resumo A saúde é um complexo de situações de condições de vida alinhadas a contextos e lugares no tempo. O processo de reparação a partir do entendimento ampliado da saúde é um conjunto de direitos, ações e medidas protagonizadas por diferentes sujeitos nas diversas dimensões da vida. Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar as percepções e ações de reparação direcionadas a camponeses que sofreram perdas materiais e simbólicas no decurso das obras da transposição do Rio São Francisco, em Sertânia, Pernambuco. Trata-se de um estudo de caso com abordagem qualitativa. Os sujeitos desta pesquisa foram camponeses maiores de 18 anos, sem especificação de sexo, residentes em três comunidades nas proximidades do canal Eixo Leste da transposição. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas nas comunidades e uma oficina participativa. Observou-se que há uma insuficiência no reconhecimento dos direitos de reparação pelos habitantes e, consequentemente, uma não efetivação das ações desenvolvidas nesse aspecto. As ações de reparação focaram compensações monetárias para a perda de bens materiais, porém sendo muitas vezes subdimensionadas ou até mesmo ausentes. É imprescindível que a reparação seja pensada na perspectiva da complexidade do caso, considerando todas as dimensões da saúde e da vida.

Abstract Health is a complex of situations of living conditions aligned to contexts and places at a given time. The redress process based on the expanded understanding of health is a set of rights, actions, and measures carried out by different subjects in the different dimensions of life. This article aims to analyze the perceptions and redress actions directed to peasants who suffered material and symbolic losses during the transposition of the São Francisco River, in Sertânia, Pernambuco. This is a case study with a qualitative approach. The subjects of this research were peasants over 18 years of age, of without specifying gender, living in three peasant communities near the Eixo Leste of the transposition. Semi-structured interviews and a participatory workshop were carried out in the communities. An insufficiency in the recognition of reparation rights by the inhabitants and, consequently, a non-effectiveness of the actions developed to that end were observed. Remedial actions focused on monetary compensation from the loss of material goods, but were often undersized or even absent. It is essential that the repair be thought of from the perspective of the complexity of the case, considering all dimensions of health and life.

The Effectiveness of Workplace Musculoskeletal Injury Risk Factor Screening Tools for Reducing Injury: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Musculoskeletal injury (MSI) contributes to global health burdens. Effective MSI prevention is necessary. MSI risk factor screening tools can be used by employers to identify and mitigate occupational hazards. Rigorous synthesis of the effectiveness of these tools has not taken place. We synthesized literature on effectiveness of MSI risk factor screening tools for reducing injury through informing prevention interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search of Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library (Trials), CINAHL, Scopus and PsycINFO databases was performed. Included studies required an analytic design, used an MSI risk factor screening tool to inform an intervention in a working-age population and reported an outcome of MSI development, injury or compensation/work absence. Data extraction and study quality rating (Downs and Black criteria) were completed. Studies were sub-categorized as having used a single MSI screening tool (single-tool) to inform an injury prevention intervention or involving multiple simultaneous screening tools (multiple-tool). Study outcomes were synthesized when possible. RESULTS: Eighteen articles representing fourteen studies met our inclusion criteria. No high-quality studies were identified (maximum Downs and Black score of 19). Studies did not employ previously validated tools but instead, typically, those purpose-built for a single use. The results were inconsistent both when using tools alone and in combination with other tools. Outcome measure heterogeneity precluded meaningful meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: There is limited evidence regarding use of MSI risk factor screening tools for preventing injury. Rigorous studies that utilize previously validated tools are needed.

Beneficiários de planos privados de saúde que utilizaram a rede pública de hemodiálise ambulatorial no Brasil entre 2012 e 2019 / Beneficiaries of private health plans that used the public outpatient hemodialysis network in Brazil between 2012 and 2019 / Beneficiarios de planes privados de salud que utilizaron la red pública de hemodiálisis ambulatoria en Brasil entre 2012 y 2019

O ressarcimento ao Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) é a interface mais visível da relação entre saúde pública e privada, e sua análise pode ampliar o conhecimento sobre o uso do SUS pelo setor suplementar. O presente estudo objetivou caracterizar os beneficiários de planos privados de saúde que realizaram hemodiálise no SUS entre 2012 e 2019 em relação a: sexo, faixa etária, região de residência, características dos planos privados de saúde e das operadoras e a assistência prestada a eles. Visou também comparar características dos planos privados de saúde e modalidade das operadoras daqueles beneficiários com dados dos demais beneficiários do Brasil. Construiu-se uma base centrada no indivíduo a partir de dados da Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar (ANS); informações sobre beneficiários do Brasil foram consultadas no Departamento de Informática do SUS (DATASUS). Utilizou-se distribuições de frequências para resumir os dados, padronização por idade e sexo para características dos planos privados de saúde e modalidade das operadoras, e razão para comparar frequências. Um total de 31.941 beneficiários realizou hemodiálise no SUS, 11.147 (34,9%) destes fora de seu município de residência, e 6.423 (20,11%) utilizaram o SUS por 25 meses ou mais. Comparados aos demais beneficiários do Brasil, aqueles que realizaram hemodiálise no SUS estavam vinculados mais frequentemente a planos privados de saúde antigos (razão, r = 2,41), coletivos por adesão (r = 1,76), individuais/familiares (r = 1,36), ambulatoriais (r = 4,66), municipais (r = 3,88) e/ou a filantropias (r = 7,32). Planos privados de saúde com características restritivas podem ter dificultado o acesso dos beneficiários que realizaram hemodiálise no SUS às redes de suas operadoras, e representado mais um fator que pode ter influenciado o uso do SUS por aqueles beneficiários, mesmo com a cobertura prevista em seus contratos.

Reimbursement to Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) is the most visible interface of the public-private relationship and its analysis can expand our understanding of the use of SUS by the supplementary sector. The study aims to characterize the beneficiaries of private health plans who underwent hemodialysis in the SUS, from 2012 to 2019, in relation to: gender, age group, region of residence, characteristics of the private health plans and the operators and of the care provided to them. The characteristics of the private health plans and the modality of the operators of the beneficiaries where then compared with data of the other beneficiaries in Brazil. An individual-centered database was constructed based on data from the Brazilian National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS); information on beneficiaries in Brazil was consulted in Brazilian Health Informatics Department (DATASUS). Frequency distributions were used to summarize the data, standardization by age and sex for characteristics of the private health plans and modality of the operators and ratio to compare frequencies. A total of 31,941 beneficiaries underwent hemodialysis in the SUS, 11,147 (34.9%) outside their municipality of residence, and 6,423 (20.11%) used the SUS for 25 months or more. When compared with other beneficiaries in Brazil, those who underwent hemodialysis in the SUS were more frequently linked to old private health plans (ratio, r = 2.41), collective by adherence (r = 1.76), individual/family (r = 1.36), outpatient (r = 4.66), municipal (r = 3.88), and/or philanthropic (r = 7.32). Private health plans with restrictive characteristics may have hindered the access of beneficiaries who performed hemodialysis in SUS to the networks of their operators and have represented one more among the factors that may have influenced the use of SUS by those beneficiaries, even with coverage provided for in their contracts.

El resarcimiento al Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) es la interfaz más visible de la relación público-privada y su análisis puede ampliar el conocimiento sobre el uso del SUS por el sector suplementario. El estudio tuvo como objetivo caracterizar a los beneficiarios de planes privados de salud que realizaron hemodiálisis en el SUS, entre 2012 y 2019, con relación a: género, rango de edad, región de residencia, características de los planes privados de salud y de los operadores y a la asistencia prestada a ellos; y comparar características de los planes privados de salud y modalidad de los operadores de aquellos beneficiarios con datos de los demás beneficiarios de Brasil. Se construyó una base centrada en el individuo a partir de datos de la Agencia Nacional de Salud Suplementaria (ANS); las informaciones sobre los beneficiarios en Brasil fueron consultadas en el Departamento de Informática del SUS (DATASUS). Se utilizaron distribuciones de frecuencia para resumir los datos, la estandarización por edad y género para las características de los planes privados de salud y la modalidad de los operadores y la relación para comparar frecuencias. Un total de 31.941 beneficiarios se sometieron a hemodiálisis en el SUS, 11.147 (34,9 %) fuera de su municipio de residencia y 6.423 (20,11 %) utilizaron el SUS por 25 meses o más. Comparados a los demás beneficiarios de Brasil, los beneficiarios que se sometieron a hemodiálisis en el SUS estaban vinculados más frecuentemente a planes privados de salud antiguos (razón, r = 2,41), colectivos por adhesión (r = 1,76), individuales/familiares (r = 1,36), ambulatorios (r = 4,66), municipales (r = 3,88) y/o a filantropías (r = 7,32). Planes privados de salud con características restrictivas pueden haber dificultado el acceso de los beneficiarios que realizaron hemodiálisis en el SUS a las redes de sus operadores y pueden haber representado un factor más entre los que pueden haber influido en el uso del SUS por aquellos beneficiarios, incluso con cobertura prevista en sus contratos.

Return-to-Work Following Occupational Rehabilitation for Long COVID: Descriptive Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggests that worldwide, between 30% and 50% of those who are infected with COVID-19 experience long COVID (LC) symptoms. These symptoms create challenges with return-to-work (RTW) in a high proportion of individuals with LC. To tailor rehabilitation programs to LC sequelae and help improve RTW outcomes, more research on LC rehabilitation program outcomes is needed. OBJECTIVE: This study describes the characteristics and outcomes of workers who participated in an LC occupational rehabilitation program. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted. Descriptive variables included demographic and occupational factors as well as patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs, ie, the Fatigue Severity Scale [FSS], the Post-COVID Functional Scale [PCFS], the 36-item Short Form Health Survey [SF-36], the Pain Disability Index [PDI], the pain Visual Analogue Scale [VAS], the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9], the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire [GAD-7], and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders Fifth Edition [DSM-5] posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD] checklist [PCL-5]). The main outcome variable was the RTW status at discharge. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Logistic regression examined predictors of RTW. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 81 workers. Most workers were female (n=52, 64%) and from health-related occupations (n=43, 53%). Only 43 (53%) individuals returned to work at program discharge, with 40 (93%) of these returning to modified duties. Although there were statistically significant improvements on the pain VAS (mean 11.1, SD 25.6, t31=2.5, P=.02), the PDI (mean 9.4, SD 12.5, t32=4.3, P<.001), the FSS (mean 3.9, SD 8.7, t38=2.8, P=.01), the SF-36 PCS (mean 4.8, SD 8.7, t38=-3.5, P=.001), the PHQ-9 (mean 3.7, SD 4.0, t31=5.2, P<.001), and the GAD-7 (mean 1.8, SD 4.4, t22=1.8, P=.03), there were no significant improvements in the PCFS, the overall mental component score (MCS) of the SF-36, or on the PCL-5. The availability of modified duties (odds ratio [OR] 3.38, 95% CI 1.26-9.10) and shorter time between infection and admission for rehabilitation (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.99-1.00) predicted RTW even when controlling for age and gender. CONCLUSIONS: Workers undergoing LC rehabilitation reported significant but modest improvements on a variety of PROMs, but only 43 (53%) returned to work. Outcomes would likely improve with increased availability of modified duties and timelier rehabilitation. Additional research is needed, including larger observational cohorts as well as randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of LC rehabilitation.

[Loss of chance in compensation for non-accidental bodily injury: inventory]. / Perte de chance en réparation du préjudice corporel hors accident : état des lieux.

Loss of chance in compensation for non-accidental bodily injury: inventory The main problem with this notion is the hypothetical nature of the loss of chance, insofar as it is impossible to take for sure if the hoped-for event would actually haved occurred. This this is the main difficulty encountered when estimating a loss of chance. The aim of this work is to identify a number of tools that will serve as a basis for the assessment of loss of chance damage. The contribution of data from the literature, the use of abacuses depending on the terrain and the pathology and the contribution of sapients will be described. The calculation methodology will also be discussed in the context of the cumulative loss of chances suffered by the patient.

Perte de chance en réparation du préjudice corporel hors accident : état des lieux La problématique de la notion de perte de chance est son caractère hypothétique, dans la mesure où il est impossible de savoir avec certitude si le fait espéré se serait réellement réalisé. C'est là toute la difficulté qui incombe au calcul de la perte de chance. Il est cependant possible de distinguer ou d'envisager un certain nombre de moyens permettant d'évaluer le préjudice de perte de chance. Les données de la littérature, les abaques, en fonction du terrain et de la pathologie, et les experts y contribuent. La méthodologie de calcul, dans le cadre du cumul de pertes de chances subies par le patient, mérite aussi d'être discutée.

Primary versus revision total shoulder arthroplasty: comparing relative value and reimbursement trends.

BACKGROUND: Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for multiple shoulder pathologies. The purpose of our study was to compare the relative value units (RVUs) per minute of surgical time for primary and revision TSA. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried to identify patients that underwent primary TSA, one-component revision TSA, and two-component revision TSA between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2017 using current procedure terminology codes. RVUs were divided by mean operative time for each procedure to determine the amount of revenue generated per minute. Rates were compared between the groups using a one-way analysis of variance with post-hoc Tukey test. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: When dividing compensation by surgical time, we found that two-component revision generated more compensation per minute compared to primary TSA (0.284±0.114 vs. 0.239±0.278 RVU per minute or $10.25±$4.11 vs. $8.64±$10.05 per minute, respectively; p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The relative value of revision TSA procedures is weighted to account for the increased technical challenges and time associated with these procedures. This study confirms that reimbursement is higher for revision TSA compared to primary TSA.

Judicial Vulnerability on the Exercise of Orthodontics: Construction and Validation of a Questionnaire

Abstract Objective: To develop and validate a questionnaire to measure the vulnerability of orthodontists, measuring the risks of being involved in civil liability lawsuits. Material and Methods: In-depth interviews were performed with three groups: G1- law professionals, G2 - orthodontists, and G3 - orthodontic patients. From the analysis of the content of Bardin, domains for the construction of the first version of the 53-question questionnaire were identified. The questionnaire was submitted to experts for validation, inclusion and exclusion of questions, but maintaining the 53-question format. It was submitted to the test-retest phases and verification of internal consistency. Results: 247 professionals answered the final version of the questionnaire. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 88.8%. Cronbach's alpha was 0.946, with high internal consistency. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin and Bartlett's tests confirmed internal consistency showing the values of 0.909 and significance of <0.001, respectively. From the total score and factorial analysis, the sample was divided into three groups of judicial vulnerability. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that the questionnaire is a valid tool to measure the risks of involvement in civil liability lawsuits by orthodontists. It presented a multidimensional character and might be applied as well as face to face or online, without prejudice to quality (AU).

Estimation of Health-Related Quality of Life Losses Owing to a Technological Disaster in Brazil Using EQ-5D-3L: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: In 2015, a dam collapsed at Samarco iron ore mine in the municipality of Mariana, Brazil, and contaminated more than 600 km of watercourses and destroyed almost 1600 acres of vegetation. Nineteen people died and more than 600 families lost their homes. This study aimed to estimate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) losses owing to this disaster. METHODS: We collected data from a probabilistic sample of 459 individuals aged 15 years or older. Household face-to-face interviews were conducted in December 2018. Pre-event data were not available for this population, so respondents were asked to evaluate at present and in retrospect their health status using EQ-5D-3L. The Minas Gerais societal value sets for EQ-5D-3L health preferences, estimated in 2011, were used to calculate utility losses. The health loss estimation from EQ-5D will form the basis for the calculation of compensation payments for the victims. RESULTS: Approximately 74% of the study population suffered some HRQoL loss. On average, EQ-5D index values decreased from 0.95 to 0.76. The greatest effects were observed for the anxiety/depression dimension, followed by pain/discomfort. Before the tragedy, the proportion of individuals with severe anxiety/depression and pain/discomfort was equal to 1% rising to 23% and 11%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Catastrophic losses owing to the Samarco disaster were found. The EQ-5D-3L instrument showed feasibility and sensitiveness to measure HRQoL losses owing to a negative health shock in a low-income Brazilian population.

Characteristics and Prognostic Factors for Return to Work in Public Safety Personnel with Work-Related Posttraumatic Stress Injury Undergoing Rehabilitation.

PURPOSE: Public safety personnel (PSP) are at risk of developing posttraumatic stress injury (PTSI) due to exposure to traumatic experiences and accidents. Rehabilitation programs are available, but their success varies. We studied: (1) characteristics of PSP undergoing PTSI rehabilitation in comparison to non-PSP workers; and (2) predictive value of various factors for return to work. Methods A population-based cohort study was conducted using data on injured workers undergoing PTSI rehabilitation. Of the 488 workers included, 131 were PSP. Outcome measures were: (1) return to pre-accident work at rehabilitation discharge; (2) days receiving wage replacement benefits in the year following rehabilitation. Results PSP were mainly employed (90.8%), male (59.5%), paramedics/ambulance workers (58.0%); a minority (43.5%) returned to pre-accident work after rehabilitation. Compared to non-PSP workers, PSP were more likely to initially be diagnosed with psychological injuries (94.7% versus 59.4%, p < 0.001) rather than musculoskeletal injuries. Return to pre-accident work was predicted by shorter injury duration, having a primary mental health diagnosis, working at time of admission, and not having symptoms requiring treatment in a complex rehabilitation program. PSPs were slower to experience full recovery in the year after rehabilitation. Factors predicting fewer benefit days included not having a secondary psychological injury, being employed, and working at time of admission. Conclusions Most PSP did not return to work in full after PTSI rehabilitation. Outcomes are likely to improve by starting treatment earlier and maintaining connections with the workplace.

A Descriptive Study of the Implementation of Remote Occupational Rehabilitation Services Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic Within a Workers' Compensation Context.

Purpose The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in dramatic changes to avoid virus spread. In Canada, following provincial legislation the Workers' Compensation Board of Alberta (WCB-Alberta) stopped in-person rehabilitation services on March 23, 2020. On April 1, training began on remote service delivery using videoconferencing or telerehabilitation, which started April 3. We studied WCB-Alberta's transition to remote rehabilitation service delivery. Methods A population-based descriptive study was conducted, with data extracted from the WCB-Alberta database. This included clinical data from rehabilitation providers. We included workers completing services between January 1 and May 31, 2020. We statistically examined differences before and after the transition to remote services. Results The dataset included 4,516 individuals with work-related injuries. The mean number of work assessments per week pre-COVID was 244.6 (SD 83.5), which reduced to 135.9 (SD 74.5). Workers undergoing remote assessments were significantly more likely to work in health care or trades, did not require an interpreter, and were less likely to be working or judged as ready to return to work. Number of completed rehabilitation programs also reduced from 125.6 to 40.8 per week, with most (67.1%) remote programs being functional restoration. Few adverse effects were observed. Conclusions We describe the transition to completely remote delivery of occupational rehabilitation due to COVID-19 physical distancing restrictions in one Canadian compensation jurisdiction. It appears the use of remote services was successful but proceeded cautiously, with fewer complex cases being referred for assessment or rehabilitation. Further research examining longer-term work outcomes and stakeholder perceptions is needed.

Dispute cases related to pain management in Korea: analysis of Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency data.

BACKGROUND: Various developments in imaging techniques, interventional procedures, and medications for pain management have beneficial consequences. However, the nature of pain management often results in physicians becoming involved in medico-legal disputes with patients who purposely or accidentally bring litigation. METHODS: Data on medical disputes cases related to pain management were collected and analyzed through the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency from 2012 to 2016. RESULTS: In total, we identified 210 public-disclosed cases; of these, we identified 36 cases related to pain management. The department of orthopedics (n = 9, 25%) was the most related to these pain management cases. Pain management was most commonly offered for pain in the lumbar region (n = 13, 37%), lower extremities (n = 12, 34%), and for infection (n = 7, 19%). The time spent resolving disputes ranged from 8.0 to 17.5 months and the final settlement amount ranged from 1,800,000 to 15,000,000 Korean won. Causal relationships and medical malpractice were the most common controversial subjects of legal debate. CONCLUSIONS: Various characteristics of medical disputes related to pain management in Korea were identified. Information regarding medical disputes in pain management should be available to help prevent further disputes and litigation, which is also useful to both patients and pain physicians. Guidelines and recommendations for pain management are needed, especially those focused on medico-legal cases.

Health and return to work in the first two years following road traffic injury: a comparison of outcomes between compensation claimants in Victoria and New South Wales, Australia.

BACKGROUND: People who sustain road traffic injuries often have poor health outcomes. While outcomes are often worse in people with a compensation claim, especially in fault-based schemes versus no-fault schemes, few studies have directly compared outcomes across scheme types. OBJECTIVE: To compare health and work outcomes between people who had no compensation claim, a fault-based claim, or "no-fault" transport or workers compensation claim after hospitalisation for a road traffic injury. METHODS: Participants aged >=18 years admitted to hospital in New South Wales or Victoria for >24 hours were recruited in two separate prospective cohort studies (N=1,034). People who died or sustained minor or very severe injuries were excluded. Groups included Compulsory Third Party (fault-based, n=128), no-fault Transport Accident Commission (TAC; n=454) and workers compensation claimants (n=73), or no claim (n=226). Outcomes at six, 12- and 24-months post-injury included health [SF-12 Mental Component Score (MCS) and Physical Component Score (PCS)], and return to work for people working pre-injury. Multivariable mixed effects linear and logistic regressions, adjusting for demographic and injury covariates, examined differences in health and work outcomes between claimant groups, with fixed effects of time and random effects of participant ID. RESULTS: Health status was better in people with a no-fault TAC claim (MCS: m=50.62, 95%CI:49.62,51.62; PCS: m=40.49, 95%CI:39.46,41.52) or no claim (MCS: m=49.99, 95%CI:49.62,51.62; PCS: m=44.36, 95%CI:43.00,45.72), than people with a workers compensation (MCS: m=45.73, 95%CI:43.46,48.00; PCS: m=38.94, 95%CI:36.59,41.30) or fault-based CTP claim (MCS: m=41.34, 95%CI:39.54,43.13; PCS: m=35.64, 95%CI:33.78,37.49). Relative to fault-based CTP claimants, the odds of returning to work were higher for people with no claim (AOR=6.84, 95%CI:1.73,27.05) but did not differ for no-fault TAC (AOR=1.21, 95%CI:0.36,4.05) or workers compensation claimants (AOR=0.83,95%CI: 0.17,3.99). While people with a fault-based CTP claim had poorer mental and physical health and return to work after injury, they showed greater improvements in mental health, and similar levels of improvement in physical health and work participation over time to the other groups. CONCLUSION: The patterns of health and work across scheme types provide important insights against which we can contrast the effects of future scheme designs on client outcomes.

Machine Learning for Work Disability Prevention: Introduction to the Special Series.

Rapid development in computer technology has led to sophisticated methods of analyzing large datasets with the aim of improving human decision making. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (ML) approaches hold tremendous potential for solving complex real-world problems such as those faced by stakeholders attempting to prevent work disability. These techniques are especially appealing in work disability contexts that collect large amounts of data such as workers' compensation settings, insurance companies, large corporations, and health care organizations, among others. However, the approaches require thorough evaluation to determine if they add value to traditional statistical approaches. In this special series of articles, we examine the role and value of ML in the field of work disability prevention and occupational rehabilitation.

La mediación sanitaria en Chile / Medical mediation in the international context

Mediation can approximate opposing positions and reach agreements that offer viable solutions for the problems posed by parties. The favorable results, the statements of the professionals and the welfare of the parties who participate in it are some of the reasons for its growth. Its fields of action are diverse, creating a space where the protagonists solve their problems and transform their relationships without having to resort to lengthy and costly legal processes to reach valid agreements. Mediation allows to dejudicialize health care and improve the relationships that are created in all its services. Its implantation in health organizations will favor a more humanized attention by eliminating conflicts, thus elevating the quality and degree of well-being of all the professionals who participate.

Intelligent Robotics Incorporating Machine Learning Algorithms for Improving Functional Capacity Evaluation and Occupational Rehabilitation.

Introduction Occupational rehabilitation often involves functional capacity evaluations (FCE) that use simulated work tasks to assess work ability. Currently, there exists no single, streamlined solution to simulate all or a large number of standard work tasks. Such a system would improve FCE and functional rehabilitation through simulating reaching maneuvers and more dexterous functional tasks that are typical of workplace activities. This paper reviews efforts to develop robotic FCE solutions that incorporate machine learning algorithms. Methods We reviewed the literature regarding rehabilitation robotics, with an emphasis on novel techniques incorporating robotics and machine learning into FCE. Results Rehabilitation robotics aims to improve the assessment and rehabilitation of injured workers by providing methods for easily simulating workplace tasks using intelligent robotic systems. Machine learning-based approaches combine the benefits of robotic systems with the expertise and experience of human therapists. These innovations have the potential to improve the quantification of function as well as learn the haptic interactions provided by therapists to assist patients during assessment and rehabilitation. This is done by allowing a robot to learn based on a therapist's motions ("demonstrations") what the desired workplace activity ("task") is and how to recreate it for a worker with an injury ("patient"). Through Telerehabilitation and internet connectivity, these robotic assessment techniques can be used over a distance to reach rural and remote locations. Conclusions While the research is in the early stages, robotics with integrated machine learning algorithms have great potential for improving traditional FCE practice.

Mediación en el sistema público de salud: oportunidades para mejorar / Mediation in public healthcare: opportunities for improvement

Background: Mediation in healthcare is a non-adversarial process to resolve a dispute risen between patients and health providers during medical attention Aim: To characterize the mediation process taking place in the public health system in Chile, from its start until 2017. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Under the Transparency Law, information about mediation processes between 2005 and 2017 was requested to the State Defense Council (CDE in its Spanish acronym). This data was complemented with the information available on the website of this agency. Results: Ninety four percent of the complaints filed at the CDE were deemed eligible for mediation. Only 19% of the concluded cases led to an agreement between the disputing parties. The agreements reached were mostly monetary compensation, medical assistance, and apologies/explanation of the facts. The average amount of compensation reached $14,862,088 (Chilean pesos). The most commonly claimed damage resulting from medical care was partial disability. The medical specialties more often claimed were Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Surgery, and Internal Medicine. Conclusions: The analysis of conducted mediations is a source of feedback for healthcare staff and health institutions. It would greatly contribute to prevent possible damage and medical conflicts, specially within the specialties with the most complaints. Improvements to the existing legislation are required to ensure free access for all the population.

Validity of the Work Assessment Triage Tool for Selecting Rehabilitation Interventions for Workers' Compensation Claimants with Musculoskeletal Conditions.

Purpose The Work Assessment Triage Tool (WATT) is a clinical decision support tool developed using machine learning to help select interventions for patients with musculoskeletal disorders. The WATT categorizes patients based on individual characteristics according to likelihood of successful return to work following rehabilitation. A previous validation showed acceptable classification accuracy, but we re-examined accuracy using a new dataset drawn from the same system 2 years later. Methods A population-based cohort design was used, with data extracted from a Canadian compensation database on workers considered for rehabilitation between January 2013 and December 2016. Data were obtained on demographic, clinical, and occupational characteristics, type of rehabilitation undertaken, and return to work outcomes. Analysis included classification accuracy statistics of WATT recommendations. Results The sample included 28,919 workers (mean age 43.9 years, median duration 56 days), of whom 23,124 experienced a positive outcome within 30 days following return to work assessment. Sensitivity of the WATT for selecting successful programs was 0.13 while specificity was 0.87. Overall accuracy was 0.60 while human recommendations were higher at 0.72. Conclusions Overall accuracy of the WATT for selecting successful rehabilitation programs declined in a more recent cohort and proved less accurate than human clinical recommendations. Algorithm revision and further validation is needed.

[Discussion on Forensic Identification of the Rationality of Medical Expense].

ABSTRACT: In cases on compensation for personal injury, the issue of medical expense compensation involves the vital interests of the compensation obligor, the injured party and the medical institution. The rationality of medical expenses is likely to be controversial, however, there is no unified standard and stipulation for the medical expense rationality identification in forensic clinical identification at present, therefore, in the practice of judicial expertise, expert opinions easily become confused, and the legitimate rights of the parties could be infringed, which affects the impartiality and authority of judicial expertise. This article starts with the concept of medical expense and the rationality of medical expense and the reasons for disputes over the rationality of medical expense, to put forward the basic principles that should be followed in the identification of rationality of medical expenses, for peer reference.

Discussion on Forensic Identification of the Rationality of Medical Expense / 法医学杂志

In cases on compensation for personal injury, the issue of medical expense compensation involves the vital interests of the compensation obligor, the injured party and the medical institution. The rationality of medical expenses is likely to be controversial, however, there is no unified standard and stipulation for the medical expense rationality identification in forensic clinical identification at present, therefore, in the practice of judicial expertise, expert opinions easily become confused, and the legitimate rights of the parties could be infringed, which affects the impartiality and authority of judicial expertise. This article starts with the concept of medical expense and the rationality of medical expense and the reasons for disputes over the rationality of medical expense, to put forward the basic principles that should be followed in the identification of rationality of medical expenses, for peer reference.