Abstract

This project, conducted in tandem with the McGill University project on the case management of dorsal and lumbar back pain in Québec workers, examined a new case management and follow-up method for workers with back accidents. As such, it was a direct response to one of the recommendations of the Québec Task Force on Clinical Aspects of Back Injuries, headed by Walter O. Spitzer.

The specific goal of this project was the measurement of the effectiveness of the model in reducing occupational incapacity and the prevalence of recurrences, and improving the quality of care. The model also had to accelerate the management of workers suffering from occupational back injuries, provide specifically tailored therapy to each subject, coordinate health care, and facilitate return to work through the establishment of contacts between care-givers and the workplace. The feasibility study was able to identify and test operational strategies for an experimental study.