What are physicians told about their role in return to work and workers' compensation systems? An analysis of Canadian resources

Physicians can struggle in managing return to work (RTW) consultations and facilitating a patient's return to employment after the injury. As part of an exploration into the role of physicians in RTW, we examined resources, policies and guidelines developed for physicians. We identified resources developed by workers' compensation boards, government bodies and other organizations across Canada. Materials were categorized by resource type, content and jurisdiction. A content analysis focused on key messages and discourse about what is expected of physicians and how they are instructed to behave as part of the workers' compensation process. Analysis was informed by key issues identified in the critical qualitative RTW literature and involved the consideration of gaps, contradictions and 'silences' in the data. While physicians are urged to encourage RTW, few resources explain how the workers' compensation system operates and their role within it. There is a dearth of resources that address complex conditions and difficulties physicians may encounter while treating patients with compensable injuries. These gaps may hinder physicians' understanding of their roles and responsibilities and delay workers' RTW after injury. There is a need for resources aimed at physicians that clearly discuss their role and how to deal with complex conditions and RTW difficulties.