December 15, 2014
Hopkinton, Mass. – The Liberty Mutual Work Disability Research Award was presented to Douglas P. Gross, Ph.D., BScPT, acting chairman and associate professor of the faculty of rehabilitative medicine at the University of Alberta, Edmonton. The award, established by the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety and the Work Disability Prevention and Integration (WDPI) Scientific Committee of the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH), recognizes outstanding research in work disability prevention. Dr. Gross presented his research at the biannual scientific meeting of the WDPI Scientific Committee.
The award-winning investigation looked at functional capacity evaluations commonly used to identify work abilities and inform return-to-work decisions. The research examined whether performance-based functional capacity evaluation enhances return-to-work (RTW) assessment of workers’ compensation claimants, beyond information gained from self-report measures, and leads to better functional and RTW outcomes. The investigators hypothesized that claimants undergoing performance testing as part of a RTW assessment would return to work earlier, and at higher functional work levels, due to the lower estimations of work capacity obtained with self-report that were observed in previous studies. However, this investigation revealed that performance-based functional capacity evaluation does not appear to enhance RTW outcomes beyond information gained from semi-structured functional interviewing. Thus, use of functional interviewing in place of functional capacity testing in some instances has the potential to improve assessment efficiency without compromising functional or RTW outcomes.
“This unique study was well-designed, has significant strengths compared to prior investigations, and thus provides new evidence that may encourage innovative, more effective approaches in work rehabilitation practice,” says Glenn S. Pransky, M.D., M.Occ.H., director of Center for Disability Research at the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety.
The Liberty Mutual Work Disability Research Award recognizes the principal investigator(s) of an original scientific study that significantly advances theory, understanding, and application in the field of disability prevention, through an innovative approach to an important problem. All abstracts submitted to the biannual scientific meeting receive consideration for the award. An independent international review committee established by the WDPI Conference Scientific Committee selects the recipient. The recipient does not need to be a member of ICOH or of the Scientific Committee. Winning researchers are encouraged to submit their paper to the Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, the official journal of the WDPI Scientific Committee. The award includes a cash prize of $500.
About Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety
Owned and operated by Liberty Mutual Insurance, the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety is an internationally recognized safety and health research facility. Through laboratory and field-based investigations, the Research Institute seeks to advance scientific knowledge in critical fields of study for the purpose of helping to reduce injuries and disability. Research findings, published in the open, peer reviewed literature, are shared with the worldwide health and safety community and are often used to develop recommendations, guidelines, and interventions to help reduce injury and disability.
About the ICOH Scientific Committee on Work
Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation The ICOH Scientific Committee on Work Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation was organized in 2006, with the mission of becoming the leading forum for scientific and professional knowledge transfer and exchange in the field of Work Disability Prevention and Integration. The Committee seeks to promote scientific advancement in prevention of disability, and safe and sustained return to work in workers, across a range of health conditions and work situations.
Contact: researchinstitute@libertymutual.com
