To the Editor: As noted by O’Donnell and colleagues,1 there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that provision of compensation is associated with poor recovery after injury. Most of this evidence arises from international workers compensation jurisdictions. However, two recent Victorian studies have examined health and work outcomes in compensable and matched non-compensable groups after transport injury.1,2 Despite examining broadly similar patient groups and using broadly similar outcome measures, the two articles reach very different conclusions.
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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. <MJA full text>
- 2. Gabbe BJ, Cameron PA, Williamson OD, et al. The relationship between compensable status and long-term patient outcomes following orthopaedic trauma. Med J Aust 2007; 187: 14-17. <MJA full text>
- 3. Maurice Blackburn Lawyers. Myths about road trauma compensation questioned in new study. Media release, 18 March 2010.
- 4. Cameron ID, Rebbeck T, Sindhusake D, et al. Legislative change is associated with improved health status in people with whiplash. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2008; 33: 250-254.
- 5. McNaughton HK, Sims A, Taylor WJ. Prognosis for people with back pain under a no-fault 24-hour-cover compensation scheme. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2000; 25: 1254-1258.
- 6. Cameron PA, Gabbe BJ, Cooper DJ, et al. A statewide system of trauma care in Victoria: effect on patient survival. Med J Aust 2008; 189: 546-550. <MJA full text>
The Institute of Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research receives funding from WorkSafe Victoria and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) of Victoria.
Alex Collie was previously employed by the TAC of Victoria, and in his current position receives research funding from the TAC. He is also a board member of the Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of the TAC.