Affiliations: School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health
Science, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada | Graduate Program, University of Northern British
Columbia, BC, Canada | Graduate Program Health and Rehabilitation Sciences,
Faculty of Health Science, University of Western Ontario, London, ON,
Canada
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Lynn Shaw, School of Occupational
Therapy, Elnorn College, The University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
N6G 1H1. Tel.: +1 519 661 2111 x88971; Fax: +1 519 661 3894; E-mail:
leshaw@uwo.ca
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate and evaluate the
current workplace management of rotator cuff injuries in a manufacturing plant.
The secondary aims were to examine the impact of the company's return-to-work
processes, compare outcomes to current industry standards for work (re)entry
and to identify the components that characterized this workplace--based
return-to-work (RTW) program. This investigation involved a case study
approach comprised of an examination of the program context using interviews,
onsite visits, a document review and a retrospective analysis of the RTW
experiences of 184 workers with shoulder injuries. Findings revealed that the
workplace-based RTW program was consistent with and shaped by the
organizational culture of problem solving, knowledge exchange and equitable
participation of workers, supervisors and health professionals. These
components contributed to the program in achieving the following outcomes for
workers with shoulder injuries. One-third of workers were placed on modified
duties within three days, 56% of workers who engaged in an early RTW program
returned to work within one month. Overall, 87.8% of workers with rotator
cuff injuries successfully returned to pre-injury work. The implications of
developing capacity for workplace-based programs to manage injuries at work are
discussed.
