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Experts' perspective on a definition for delayed return-to-work after surgery for nontraumatic upper extremity
Susan E Peters1, Michel W Coppieters2, Mark Ross3
1Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia; Brisbane Hand and Upper Limb Research Institute, Brisbane Private Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.
Study Design:
Descriptive study.
Introduction:
A delayed return to work (RTW) is often associated with poorer outcomes after a workplace injury but is ill defined.
Purpose Of The Study:
To define delayed RTW after surgery for nontraumatic upper extremity conditions.
Methods:
Experts were consulted to define delayed RTW and whether a universal time point can determine the transition from early to delayed RTW.
Results:
Forty-two experts defined a delayed RTW as either a worker not returning to preinjury (or similar) work within the expected time frame (45%); not returning to any type of work (36%); or recovering slower than expected (12%). Two-thirds of experts believed that universal time points to delineate delayed RTW should be avoided.
Discussion:
Multiple factors complicate a uniform definition of delayed RTW.
Conclusion:
Defining delayed RTW should be individualized with due consideration to the type of work. Time-based cutoffs for outcome measurement may not be appropriate with continuous measures more appropriate in research.
Level Of Evidence:
Decision analysis V.
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