Return to work and degree of recovery among injured workers in California's Workers' Compensation system.

OBJECTIVES

To determine factors associated with return to work and self-reported degree of recovery among injured workers in California.

METHODS

Using logistic regression and survey data from a representative sample of 965 workers injured between April 1 and June 30, 2005, we investigated the impact of the primary treating physician's (PTP) occupational medicine orientation and interpersonal behavior and access to and timeliness of care on return to work and degree of recovery, controlling for worker and injury characteristics.

RESULTS

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.

CONCLUSIONS

Targeting PTP behaviors and improving management of those referred for specialty care may improve return to work and degree of recovery of injured workers.