Affiliations: Hong Kong Workers Health Centre, Hong Kong SAR,
China
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Elaine Y.L. Chan, Occupational
Therapist, Hong Kong Workers' Health Centre, Room 1429, 14/F, 87-105 Chatham
Road South, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China. Tel.: +852 2725 3996;
Fax: +852 2728 6968; E-mail: elaine@hkwhc.org.hk
Abstract: Background: In Hong Kong, the Employees' Compensation Ordinance
(ECO), based on the model of the English Workmen's Compensation Act 1943,
establishes a no-fault, non-contributory system for work injuries. It focuses
merely on the minimum social expectation in compensating injured workers in
monetary terms, but does not place much emphasis on prevention, rehabilitation
and return to work polices for workers with injury. There is a need to reform
an effective and comprehensive occupational rehabilitation system for workers
with work injury in Hong Kong. Methods: This paper presents a case study of a worker with work
injury undergoing occupational rehabilitation through services provided in the
local community setting by the Hong Kong Workers' Health Centre. Results: The case study highlights some crucial factors and/or
intervention modalities in facilitating workers' return to work, including
timely intervention, work-site based rehabilitation, communication among
different stakeholders, dynamics of company, rehabilitation counselling,
community integration and individualized work resettlement. Conclusion: Without reviewing and revamping the current ECO, the
goal to provide timely and effective occupational rehabilitation services for
workers with injury could not be fully achieved.
Keywords: Return to work, work readiness, case management
