Disability Management

Foster early patient-employer communication
1. Employer defines alternative work duties
2. Consider Occupational Health for difficulties
Health-care team
1. Physical Therapy

Discuss realistic healing and recovery times
Early progressive activity maximizes outcome
1. Write activity prescription
2. Reduces Chronic Pain risk
3. Avoids illness reinforcement (see Somatization)

Maintain patient confidentiality
Obtain all relevant medical records
Clearly notify patient when ready to return to work
Patient should receive a copy of work recommendations
Specifically define work capabilities
1. Consider workplace policies, resources, and demands
2. Foremost, protect public and co-worker safety
3. Clearly outline recovery plan (see above)

Criteria for medical Disability
1. Physiologic or psychologic Impairment
2. Work status affected by Impairment
Protocol
1. Assess that patient meets Disability criteria above
2. What Disability certification is patient seeking?
  1. See Worker's Compensation Disability
  2. See Private Disability Insurance
  3. See Social Security Disability Insurance
  4. See Americans with Disabilities Act
  5. See Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
3. What defines Disability for certification requested?