Implementation of the "clinical framework for the delivery of health services" by treating healthcare professionals: perspectives of regulators and insurers

Implementation of the "clinical framework for the delivery of health services" by treating healthcare professionals: perspectives of regulators and insurers

Purpose
To understand the current utilisation of the clinical framework for delivery of health services to manage compensable musculoskeletal injuries from the perspectives of insurer case managers and clinical panel members.

Materials and methods
Using a qualitative descriptive approach, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of key organisations including WorkSafe Victoria and Transport Accident Commission Victoria. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results
Four over-arching themes were identified: (i) current use of the framework and principles is suboptimal leading to several problems including lack of evidence-based treatment by clinicians; (ii) barriers to optimal use of the framework include lack of adequate training of healthcare professionals on the framework principles and financial aspects of the compensation system; (iii) utilisation of the framework could be improved with training from peak associations, insurers, and regulating bodies; and (iv) optimal use of the framework will result in better health and work outcomes.

Conclusions
The current use of the framework and its principles is suboptimal but can be improved by addressing the identified barriers.