S W Law1, G P Y Szeto2, W W Chau1, Carol Chan1, Anthony W L Kwok1, H S Lai2,3, Ryan K L Lee4, James F Griffith4, L K Hung1, J C Y Cheng1. 1. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. 2. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. 3. Total Rehabilitation Management (Hong Kong) Limited, Hong Kong, China. 4. Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of the Multi-disciplinary Orthopaedics Rehabilitation Empowerment (MORE) Program on reducing chronic disability among injured workers and improving efficiency of work rehabilitation process. METHODS: A cohort of patients with workplace injuries in the lower back were recruited from orthopaedics clinics and assigned to either MORE group (n= 139) or control group (n= 106). Patients in MORE group received an early MRI screening and a coordinated multi-disciplinary management, while patients in the control group received conventional care. Outcome variables are time to return-to-work (RTW) from date of injury, waiting time for MRI screening and time to medical assessment board (MAB). RESULTS: Patients in the MORE Program had significantly shorter duration for RTW (MORE: 6.1 months, CONTROL: 12.8 months, p< 0.01), and more RTW cases (n= 64, 46.0%) compared to CONTROL group (n= 29, 27.4%). The MORE group also had much shorter waiting time for MRI scans (91.85 vs. 309.2 days, p< 0.001) and MAB referral after MRI scans (97.2 vs. 178.9 days, p= 0.001) compared to CONTROL group. CONCLUSIONS: The MORE Program which emphasizes early intervention and early MRI screening, is shown to be effective in shortening sick leave and improving RTW outcomes of injured workers.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of the Multi-disciplinary Orthopaedics Rehabilitation Empowerment (MORE) Program on reducing chronic disability among injured workers and improving efficiency of work rehabilitation process. METHODS: A cohort of patients with workplace injuries in the lower back were recruited from orthopaedics clinics and assigned to either MORE group (n= 139) or control group (n= 106). Patients in MORE group received an early MRI screening and a coordinated multi-disciplinary management, while patients in the control group received conventional care. Outcome variables are time to return-to-work (RTW) from date of injury, waiting time for MRI screening and time to medical assessment board (MAB). RESULTS:Patients in the MORE Program had significantly shorter duration for RTW (MORE: 6.1 months, CONTROL: 12.8 months, p< 0.01), and more RTW cases (n= 64, 46.0%) compared to CONTROL group (n= 29, 27.4%). The MORE group also had much shorter waiting time for MRI scans (91.85 vs. 309.2 days, p< 0.001) and MAB referral after MRI scans (97.2 vs. 178.9 days, p= 0.001) compared to CONTROL group. CONCLUSIONS: The MORE Program which emphasizes early intervention and early MRI screening, is shown to be effective in shortening sick leave and improving RTW outcomes of injured workers.
Entities:
Keywords:
Low back pain; case management; return-to-work; worker's compensation
Authors: Gabriel Ching Ngai Leung; Prudence Wing Hang Cheung; Gareth Lau; Sin Ting Lau; Keith Dip Kei Luk; Yat Wa Wong; Kenneth Man Chee Cheung; Paul Aarne Koljonen; Jason Pui Yin Cheung Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord Date: 2021-03-06 Impact factor: 2.362
Authors: Scott M Johnson; Troy Hutchins; Miriam Peckham; Yoshimi Anzai; Elizabeth Ryals; H Christian Davidson; Lubdha Shah Journal: BMJ Open Qual Date: 2019-12-11