This review funded by the ISCRR demonstrates that in many instances, injured workers with long-term complex injuries experience difficulties when receiving health services in the context of workers’ compensation systems. Independent medical examiners were a source of contention for both injured workers and healthcare providers (HCP), and likely exert a negative influence on the therapeutic relationship. Healthcare providers experience problematic interactions with insurers, and injured workers bear the brunt of healthcare providers’ frustration as some HCP’s offer poorer quality service or refuse to treat compensable clients as a result.
Supportive patient-centred interaction with HCP’s who have high job satisfaction is important for injured worker recovery. Reduction of organisational pressures and improving communication between insurers and service providers could result in increased job satisfaction for HCP’s and ensure that providers are more amenable to operating in compensation systems. Improved HCP participation and job satisfaction will more than likely have a corresponding positive influence on injured workers’ recovery and return to work.
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