Self-responsibility and coping with pain: disparate attitudes toward psychosocial issues in recovery from work place injury

Abstract

Purpose : To compare injured worker and health professional ratings of psychosocial variables as they relate to recovery. Method : Seventy patients and 70 health care staff at an injured worker rehabilitation centre completed a 17-item checklist. Each subject selected five psychosocial variables believed to be most important to recovery. Group ratings were compared using chi-square with a Bonferroni adjustment. Results : In general, patients and health professionals agreed on the relative importance of 15 of 17 variables. However, the groups did differ significantly on two items - staff rated 'self-responsibility' higher than patients, while patients rated 'coping with pain' higher than staff. Conclusions : The ratings reflect the occasionally divergent goals and expectations of the rehabilitation staff and patient groups. Consequently, some patients may be moved into inappropriate treatment modalities, resulting in non-compliance. Being aware of patient beliefs and expectations should assist health care professionals in generating improved rehabilitation outcomes by promoting better co-operation through shared perceptions and goals.