Affiliations: [a] Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China | [b] Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China | [c] Total Rehabilitation Management (Hong Kong) Limited, Hong Kong, China | [d] Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Grace P.Y. Szeto, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. E-mail:grace.szeto@polyu.edu.hk
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects
of the Multi-disciplinary Orthopaedics Rehabilitation Empowerment (MORE)
Program on reducing chronic disability among injured workers and improving
efficiency of work rehabilitation process. METHODS: A cohort of patients with workplace injuries in the lower
back were recruited from orthopaedics clinics and assigned to either MORE
group (n= 139) or control group (n= 106). Patients in MORE group received an
early MRI screening and a coordinated multi-disciplinary management, while
patients in the control group received conventional care. Outcome variables
are time to return-to-work (RTW) from date of injury, waiting time for MRI
screening and time to medical assessment board (MAB). RESULTS: Patients in the MORE Program had significantly shorter
duration for RTW (MORE: 6.1 months, Control: 12.8 months, p< 0.01), and more
RTW cases (n= 64, 46.0%) compared to Control group (n= 29, 27.4%). The
MORE group also had much shorter waiting time for MRI scans (91.85 vs. 309.2
days, p< 0.001) and MAB referral after MRI scans (97.2 vs. 178.9 days,
p= 0.001) compared to Control group. CONCLUSIONS: The MORE Program which emphasizes early intervention
and early MRI screening, is shown to be effective in shortening sick leave
and improving RTW outcomes of injured workers.
Keywords: Low back pain, return-to-work, case management, worker's compensation
