Issue:
Low back pain costs in Canada are estimated at 11 to 23 billion dollars. Most costs are caused by productivity losses and compensation. Some of the costs and suffering can be diminished by identifying those at high risk. Those at high risk might benefit from early or more intensive intervention. In this study, we will examine which combination of factors best predicts important outcomes for injured workers that enter a rehabilitation program aimed at improving function and return to work. We will review information routinely collected at the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Next, we will add data collected by the healthcare provider (CBI Health) and data on outcomes like function and successful return to work specifically collected for this study. We will use well established statistical approaches to build predictive rules.
Objectives:
• To determine what combination of factors measured at the start of rehabilitation predicts successful work re-entry in the two years follow-up.
• To determine what combination of factors best predicts the length of the first episode of LBP until successful work re-entry in the two years follow-up.
• To determine what combination of factors best predicts successful work retention in two years follow-up.
• To determine what combination of factors measured at the start of rehabilitation best predicts successful career advancement in the two year follow up.
• To identify prognostic factors needed to develop prediction tools (also known as clinical decision rules) for clinicians and work disability prevention professionals.
Anticipated Results:
The tool will be of interest to injured workers, workers’ compensation board professionals, rehabilitation professionals, employers and researchers. We will reach these communities through specific audience briefings, presentations and by the publication of papers in trade and scientific journals.
Investigators:
Ivan Steenstra, Ben Amick, Andrea Furlan, Sheilah Hogg-Johnson, J Busse
