Issue:
There is limited understanding of the key social processes that facilitate and sustain return to work (RTW) of workers with back injuries. This study will focus on the understanding of key social interaction factors that facilitate effective work accommodations as a critical component of RTW. It is anticipated that by exploring the perspectives and lived experiences of the injured workers as well as others involved in RTW efforts, this research will provide the knowledge to assist in the development of the social process of work accommodation, inform future research, and contribute to the best practice guidelines for facilitating and sustaining RTW of back injured workers through work accommodation.
Objectives:
This study will aim to identify key elements that need to be considered in the design and development of an effective conceptual model to inform future research and best practices addressing the unique perspectives and needs of injured workers, employers, and compensation systems involved in returning back injured workers to sustained employment.
Anticipated Results:
This research will identify key elements of the work accommodation process in relation to sustained RTW, thus laying the groundwork for future development of the conceptual model and best practice guidelines in this RTW area.
Investigators:
Izabela Schultz (University of British Columbia)
