Psychiatry, compensation and rehabilitation

In December 1984, the Victorian Government published its proposals for the reform of workers' compensation legislation. Many groups have expressed concern about the proposed changes. The literature contains studies of heterogeneous groups of patients from different countries with very different medical and legal systems. Assessment of the psychological outcome of patients with compensable injuries has not usually included the assessment of confounding variables such as other injuries, inter- and intrapersonal problems, and social circumstances. No firm conclusions can be reached about the relative benefits and disadvantages of lump sum and periodic payments from a psychological perspective.