Occupational Rehab/Return to Work Flashcards
Injury prevention program aims:
- Decrease employer costs related to work injury (NUMBER ONE GOAL)
- Improve worker fitness and safety
- Bridge employee and worker collaboration to improve safety
Occupational Information Network (O*Net)
A database of requirements, worker attributes and other info about thousands of occupations that can be helpful when documenting job demands
*Replaced dictionary of occupational titles
Uniform Guidelines for Employee Selection Procedures
Part of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that is in place to ensure fair employment selection process
WSMDs
Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders -A class of soft tissue injuries affecting the muscles, tendons, and nerves; characterized by slow and insidious onset and a result of microtrauma
WSMDs and workplace
WSMDs account for 1/3 of all occupational injuries
-Poor body mechanics often contribute to these repeated microtraumas, making body mechanics important when addressing
Most common WSMDs
Back injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, de Quervain’s (condition affecting the tendons on radial side of wrist), and lateral epicondylitis
Risk factors for WSMDs
- Heavier level of material handling
- Poor work station design
- Poor work process design (e.g. body mechanics)
Ergonomic risk factors
- Forceful exertions
- Repetition
- Awkward or static posturing
- Contact stress
- Excessive vibration
- Cold temperatures
Body mechanic strategies
- Keep spine in alignment
- Hold objects close to center of gravity
- Avoid twisting through the spine by facing objects straight on
- Use both sides of the body equally and maintain a WIDE base of support
Environmental fit
Work environment redesign through workstation modification, proper tool access and fit, proper material handling, and environmental adjustments such as temperature and lighting
Symptom magnification
A non-adaptive, static approach to manipulating society with displays of symptoms.
- Can be conscious or unconscious
- FCE process necessitates that clinician assess for symptom magnification
Malingering
Deliberate or conscious symptom magnification to avoid work or responsibility to achieve personal gain.
Types of symptom magnification
- Refugee: uses symptoms to escape unresolved conflict.
- Symptom misinterpreter: responds to physical changes in extreme manner due to difficulty processing sensory and kinetic input or an unrealistic understanding of how body works
- Game player: Consciously attempts to convince those working with them of the reality of symptoms for positive gain
- Identified patient: assumes patient role as a lifestyle
Symptom minimizer
Keeps symptoms hidden to return to normal work or avoid being seen as weak.
Five-level grip test
A common assessment to test maximum effort (look for malingering)
-Jamar dynometer is used at each handle setting; should see bell curve if maximum effort (strongest should be second or third trial)
Successful work injury prevention should include:
- Ongoing management support
- Supervisory support
- Employee participation
- Ongoing support and reinforcement of program
Primary prevention goal
To identify and reduce risk factors early before injuries occur and to promote healthy work habits and lifestyle.
Secondary prevention goal
Early identification of symptom-related risk factors; ultimately, to reduce the duration, severity, and cost of work-related injuries.