Descriptive Epidemiology of Gradual Return to Work for Workers with a Work-acquired Musculoskeletal Disorder in British Columbia, Canada.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE This study investigates the injury, socio-demographic, workplace and temporal characteristics related with Gradual Return to Work (RTW) among workers with a work-acquired musculoskeletal disorder in British Columbia, Canada. METHODS Accepted workers' compensation lost-time claims were extracted between 2010 and 2015 (n = 141 490). A multivariable logistic regression model was used to analyze the determinants of Gradual RTW. RESULTS Within one year after injury, 41.0% of workers had at least one day of Gradual RTW. Serious injury severity, female gender, increasing age, wage, and firm size, longer sickness absence, and recent previous claims increased the proportion of workers being provided with Gradual RTW. CONCLUSION Consideration of injury, socio-demographic, workplace and temporal variability in the provision of Gradual RTW can identify inequalities in the provision and increase effective use of Gradual RTW for workers with musculoskeletal disorders.