Summary
Using interviews with 965 California workers injured on the job, the authors examined the factors associated with their return to work as well as their self-reported degree of recovery. In particular, the authors investigated the role that primary treating physician (PTP) played in the injured workers return to their job. The PTP's occupational medicine orientation and interpersonal behavior, as well as access to, and timeliness of, care were evaluated alongside the injured worker’s return to work and degree of recovery. Among the findings: Some PTP behaviors significantly increased the likelihood of return to work and some degree of recovery, while recommendations for specialty care reduced the likelihood of returning to work or experiencing some degree of recovery. The authors conclude that targeting PTP behaviors and improving management of those referred for specialty care may improve return to work and degree of recovery of injured workers.
