The Roles, Functions and Effectiveness of Treating Doctors in the Management of Occupational Injury: Perceptions of Key Stakeholders

Abstract

Key stakeholders' perceptions of the role of the treating doctor, including treating doctors themselves, in the management of workplace injury and in occupational rehabilitation of injured workers was assessed via in-depth semi-structured interviews of doctors and via interviews and surveys of other stakeholders (injured workers, employers, rehabilitation co-ordinators, rehabilitation providers and insurers) in the post-injury period. A number of difficulties were identified by both doctors themselves and by other stakeholders in the treating doctors' management of compensable work injury clients. It was argued that these problems were a function of the conflict of interest that arises for various service providers within the current workers' compensation system and the polarised and adversarial nature of relationships between providers. The discussion of the underlying structural and policy problems inherent in the current workers' compensation system at various levels of practice which this study has highlighted provides a first step in attempts to resolve these difficulties in individual practitioner-client relationships.