Role of the physician in workers' compensation injuries.

A variety of physician involvement is possible in the workers' compensation process. The three stages of most workers' compensation injuries are as follows: (1) initial and sequential treatment of the injury, (2) rehabilitation, and (3) control of the return to work agenda. Each of these three stages should be under the control of a physician, preferably the same physician. Only with close control of treatment and close monitoring of rehabilitation and work conditions can optimum results be obtained and maintained.