Disability determination: validity with occupational low back pain.

摘要: Abstract Disability determination for occupational low back pain challenges indemnification systems because spinal pathoanatomy is weakly related to intensity and functional capacity, making judgments of disability vulnerable such confounding factors as sociodemographic variables (eg, race, socioeconomic status). To assess the contribution impairment, status ratings post settlement status, current study investigated 580 African American 892 white workers’ compensation claimants with who were surveyed an average 21 months after claim settlement. Results indicated that diagnosis, surgery, medical costs (indicators impairment) associated at time case race was negatively also diagnosis/surgery costs. ratings, however, correlated only 21-month follow-up. The association between suggests inequities operate in determination. Furthermore, relative lack postsettlement raises questions about validity pain. Perspective demonstrated apparent racial/ethnic disparities treatment little status. Together, these results raise social justice management pain, well processes.