To the Editor: In their recent study, O’Donnell and associates1 examined the effect of compensation, and the clinically vexing problem of interaction with insurance companies, on recovery after hospitalisation for trauma in Victoria. They concluded that access to compensation might not be associated with a poor outcome per se. We agree that the relationship between compensation and health outcomes is complex, but believe there are a number of conceptual and methodological issues that undermine their findings.
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- 1. O’Donnell ML, Creamer MC, McFarlane AC, et al. Does access to compensation have an impact on recovery outcomes after injury? Med J Aust 2010; 192: 328-333. <eMJA full text> <MJA full text>
- 2. Large MM. Relationship between compensation claims for psychiatric injury and severity of physical injuries from motor vehicle accidents. Med J Aust 2001; 175: 129-132. <MJA full text>
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Nicholas Glozier is an approved medical assessor for WorkCover NSW.