Patterns of Referral to Accredited Rehabilitation Providers and Outcomes of Service

Using data supplied by the WorkCover Authority of New South Wales, Australia which were contained in claims data bases for workers' compensation claimants within the health, manufacturing and retail industries who had made claims between 1.7.91 and 31.12.92, and in case closure records for workers within this study population who had been referred to accredited rehabilitation providers, this study examined referral patterns to accredited rehabilitation providers in the Newcastle/Hunter regions of New South Wales, and outcomes of service. The results indicated that there were referral biases in the types of workers' compensation clients referred to rehabilitation providers and a further bias in the patterns of referral to individual providers. It was argued that this two tier referral bias may impact upon outcomes of rehabilitation provider service and studies which examine the efficacy of rehabilitation in reducing time lost and in return to work outcomes will need to take account of these factors.