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Articles
The International Classification of Functioning Model and Untreated Psychological Need in Workers' Compensation
Chad T. Betters and Linda R. Shaw
This article discusses the presence of untreated psychological need
present among claimants within the Workers' Compensation system and how
it can negatively affect the rehabilitation process. Unrecognized and
untreated psychological conditions, specifically depression, anxiety,
and somatization, can interfere with the return to work process,
including both physical and vocational rehabilitation. Although this
concept is not novel, untreated psychological need persists within this
disability compensatory system. This article highlights the
interrelationship of physical and psychological disabilities by
utilizing the World Health Organization's (WHO) International
Classification of Functioning (ICF) Model. The ICF Model is a
multidirectional, biopsychosocial model of disease and disability,
unique for its recognition of individual characteristics, such as
personal or environmental attributes. By using the model, the
comorbidity of physical and psychological health conditions can be
specifically addressed, suporting the argument that untreated
psychological needs warrant appropriate attention and treatment.
The Earning Capacity Assessment Form: A Study of Its Reliability
Michael Shahnasarian and Christopher L. Leitten
This study evaluated the reliability of the Earning Capacity
Assessment Form (ECAF), using a test-retest design over a 2-week
interval. Twenty-five subjects applied the ECAF to three case studies
intended to represent varying levels of threat to earning capacity.
Test-retest reliability coefficients measuring subjects' assessments of
loss of earning capacity ranged from .85 to .97 (p < .01), with an
overall correlation coefficient of .98 (p < .01). Along with prior
studies attesting to the ECAF's validity, the authors suggest this study
provides additional support for use of the instrument as a robust
measure of loss of earning capacity. As subjects gained experience using
the ECAF, they reported its utility increased. The authors present
background information about the ECAF at the onset of the article and,
after reviewing this study's results, conclude with a discussion about
current and planned research.
Analysis of the WASI as a Screening Tool for Brain Lesions
Rodney Isom, M.D. Snowden, W.A. Cochran and Z. Sneed
Providing services to clientswho have a cognitive impairment
resulting from cerebral dysfunction (CD) that has not been diagnosed can
prove difficult in numerous ways. If the CD is undetected, and
therefore untreated, psychotherapy and counseling will be complicated
and rehabilitation outcomes will likely be impacted negatively. Due to
multiple issues, the occurrence of screening for CD has significantly
reduced. Counselors at the Master's degree level have a genuine need for
a cost-efficient way to detect possible CD to justify
neuropsychological evaluations. This study examined the Wechsler
Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence™ (WASI™) instrument's ability to
screen for possible CD.
Effects of an Early Return-To-Work Program on the Costs of Workers' Compensation
Robert A. Mosley
One of the major issues confronting employers in the United States
today is the high cost associated with workers' compensation insurance.
Althoughmany factors contribute to the total overall cost of workers'
compensation, the major cost driver besides medical is lost time from
work which also increases injury-related costs such as indemnity
payments, medical and legal expenses, and employee costs. This study
compared two Early Return to Work (ERTW) programs, one with
labor/management support (Toledo), and one without (Cleveland), and it
evaluated each program's effect on time off work (TOW) and
rehabilitation outcome. This study also investigated the following
characteristics as predictors of desired outcome: program type
(labor/management support and non-labor/management support),
occupational group, and nature of disability.
Retention of Vocational Rehabilitation Customers in Community College
Christine Balesteri, Brett Stancil, Emer Broadbent, and Chrisann Schiro-Geist
This study examines relationships between involvement of Vocational
Rehabilitation (VR) services and engagement of VR counselors on the
persistence of VR customers in community college settings and successful
work placement. Data was drawn from the Longitudinal Study of the
Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program (LSVRSP) for analysis in this
research. The overall database represents over 8,000 VR cases followed
over 3 year periods between 1994 and 2000.This study is of relevance to
rehabilitation counselors in the private sector engaged in placing
clients who have received rehabilitation education and training
services, especially those served under the Ticket to Work. The
importance of the client counselor relationship and its relevance to
completion of a training program and employment is documented using this
important national data base.