Wellbeing After Finalization of a Workers’ Compensation Claim: A Systematic Scoping Review

Article

Weir, James, Fary, Robyn, Gibson, Mark, Mitchell, Tim, Johnston, Venerina, Wyatt, Mary, Guthrie, Robert, Myers, Bronwyn and Beales, Darren. 2024. "Wellbeing After Finalization of a Workers’ Compensation Claim: A Systematic Scoping Review." Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 34 (4), pp. 717-739. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-023-10168-6
Article Title

Wellbeing After Finalization of a Workers’ Compensation Claim: A Systematic Scoping Review

ERA Journal ID16458
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsWeir, James, Fary, Robyn, Gibson, Mark, Mitchell, Tim, Johnston, Venerina, Wyatt, Mary, Guthrie, Robert, Myers, Bronwyn and Beales, Darren
Journal TitleJournal of Occupational Rehabilitation
Journal Citation34 (4), pp. 717-739
Number of Pages23
Year2024
PublisherSpringer
Place of PublicationUnited States
ISSN1053-0487
1573-3688
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-023-10168-6
Web Address (URL)https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10926-023-10168-6
Abstract

Objective
A workers’ compensation claim may have significant negative impacts on an injured worker’s wellbeing. Wellbeing provides a good global measure of potential effects of a claim on an individual, and is important for contemporary economic modelling. The purpose of this study was to synthesize knowledge about the wellbeing of injured workers after the finalization of a workers’ compensation claim and identify gaps in the current literature.

Methods
A systematic scoping review was conducted.

Results
71 full-text articles were screened for inclusion, with 32 articles eligible for this review. None of the included articles evaluated overall wellbeing. Included articles did evaluate a variety of constructs inherent in wellbeing. Injured workers were generally disadvantaged in some manner following claim finalization. The literature recommends a focus on reducing negative impacts on injured workers after finalization of a compensation claim, with a need for regulatory bodies to review policy in this area.

Conclusion
There appears to be potential for ongoing burden for individuals, employers, and society after finalization of a workers’ compensation claim. A gap in knowledge exists regarding the specific evaluation of wellbeing of injured workers following finalization of a workers’ compensation claim.

KeywordsOccupational health; Wellbeing; Workers’ compensation; Workplace injury
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020420603. Health promotion
Byline AffiliationsCurtin University
Pain Options, Australia
Centre for Health Research
School of Health and Medical Sciences
Monash University
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