Assessing the Impact of the Psychologists and Counsellors' Guide to WorkCover NSW. Psychologists' application of the WorkCover NSW recommended protocols, procedures, and practice: Outcomes for workers with a back injury: A report to the State Insurance Regulatory Authority

Abstract

In 2010, WorkCover NSW introduced a regulatory framework of procedures, reporting requirements, and practice for psychologists and counsellors providing services to injured workers. The aim of this study was to investigate psychologists' adherence to these requirements and to compare the pre- and post-2010 outcomes for injured workers with a back injury with secondary psychological injury. The study period ranged from 1 January 2008 to 31 January 2012. After applying exclusion criteria (i.e., claims without carryover payments from pre- to post-2010 and closed at 31 December 2012), an initial sample of N = 63,628 back injuries was reduced to a subsample of n = 26,492. Within these records, n = 26,254 were cases of back injury; n = 238 (0.009%) had received a psychology service. From a further subsample of n = 123 cases receiving psychological treatment in the post-2010 period, 12 de-identified case files were subject to content analysis. Case file analyses revealed that the majority (67%) of psychologists were adhering to the prescribed protocols, procedures and practice, but to varying degrees: 43% had adhered to standard procedures (e.g., submission of Management Plans) and 32% had adhered to the recommended treatment principles. From pre- to post-2010, total claim costs and time lost from work by injured workers with a back injury had significantly increased. However, in this same period, these outcomes were unchanged for injured workers who had received a psychological service. The findings of this study suggest that the regulatory framework and training program for psychologists has had a positive impact on costs and outcomes for workers with a back injury and secondary psychological injury. Compulsory training should continue, but to improve psychologists' application of the nuanced features of work disability management, revision of the teaching and learning strategies used in the current program is indicated.