What Should You Look for in a Physician Treating Injured Workers?

When an employee is injured, finding the right physician matters.

Clinical experience and credentials are important, but caring for injured workers also requires an understanding of the communication, documentation, coordination and return-to-work information that surrounds their care.

For employers, adjusters and nurse case managers, knowing what to look for in a physician and medical practice can make a difference in the overall experience for everyone involved, especially the injured worker.

After more than 22 years of working directly with physicians and the professionals responsible for coordinating care for injured workers, OM has seen several qualities consistently stand out.

The Right Specialist for the Injury

Not every orthopedic injury requires the same type of physician. The same is true across neurology, spine, pain management, hand surgery and other specialties.

Finding a physician whose training and experience align with the specific injury is an important first step.

Location and appointment availability are important, but they should not be the only considerations. The goal is to connect the injured worker with the appropriate physician for their medical needs.

Timely Access to Care

Once the appropriate physician has been identified and the necessary authorization is in place, appointment availability matters.

A medical practice that treats injured workers should have processes in place for receiving referrals, scheduling appointments and communicating with authorized parties when information is needed.

When specialty care is needed, knowing how to reach the right person within the practice can also make the process easier.

A Team That Understands the Needs of Injured Workers

The experience doesn't begin and end with the physician.

Workers’ compensation coordinators, schedulers, medical assistants and other practice staff often play an important role in coordinating care and communicating with employers, adjusters and nurse case managers.

Staff should understand the importance of timely communication, appropriate documentation and knowing how to assist the authorized professionals involved in coordinating the injured worker’s care.

Clear Documentation and Work Status

Employers, adjusters and nurse case managers often rely on information from the treating physician to understand the injured worker's current medical status and any work restrictions established by the physician.

Clear, timely documentation helps authorized parties understand the treatment plan, follow-up recommendations and work status.

Clinical decisions, including treatment and work restrictions, always remain with the treating physician.

Communication Matters

Caring for an injured worker often involves more coordination than a traditional medical visit.

Depending on the situation, the practice may communicate with the injured worker, employer, adjuster, nurse case manager, carrier or other authorized parties.

Having a knowledgeable point of contact within the medical practice can make it easier to address scheduling, obtain authorized documentation and communicate questions regarding follow-up care.

Understanding Return to Work

Returning an injured worker safely to work is not simply about providing a note that says “light duty.”

When medically appropriate, clear information regarding restrictions can help an employer understand what the injured worker can safely do and determine whether appropriate modified work is available.

The physician determines the medical restrictions. The employer determines whether work is available that can accommodate those restrictions.

Clear information between the two sides is important.

Education Matters Too

Physicians and medical teams may be highly experienced clinically while still being new to the processes involved in treating injured workers.

That is one of the reasons OM developed WorkCompReady™.

WorkCompReady™ provides education for physicians and their teams on the administrative and communication expectations surrounding the care of injured workers. It does not evaluate or influence clinical decision-making.

The goal is to help medical practices better understand the needs of the professionals coordinating care while keeping the injured worker at the center of the process.

Finding the Right Physician Is About More Than a Name on a List

When evaluating a physician or medical practice for an injured worker, consider the complete picture.

Is this the appropriate specialist for the injury? Can the injured worker be seen within a reasonable timeframe? Does the practice have knowledgeable staff? Is there a clear point of contact? Does the practice understand the importance of communication and documentation? Does the physician provide clear work-status information?

These are practical considerations, but they can have a significant impact on the experience of the injured worker and the professionals coordinating their care.

From the OM Docs Desk

For more than 22 years, OM has worked directly with physicians and medical practices while helping employers, adjusters, nurse case managers and other professionals find qualified physicians for their injured workers.

Through OM Docs, professionals can search for physicians by specialty and location and connect directly with workers’ compensation coordinators for assistance with appointments, documentation, work status and other authorized requests.

Our focus has always been simple: helping employers find the best care for their injured workers.

Visit OMDocs.com to find a physician.