Work Disability Prevention and Management.

Abstract

Objective: This abbreviated version of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine's (ACOEM) Work Disability Prevention and Management Guideline reviews the available evidence and provides recommendations to clinicians regarding interventions to help patients remain at or return to work.

Methods: Systematic literature reviews were conducted. Studies were graded and evidence tables were created, with involvement of a multidisciplinary expert panel that evaluated the evidence and finalized recommendations for all clinical questions. Extensive peer review was performed. Consensus recommendations were formulated when evidence was lacking.

Results: Evidence-based recommendations have been developed to guide work disability prevention and management.

Conclusions: Clinicians should utilize quality evidence in determining treatment methods to prevent and alleviate work disability for workers. This guideline offers an evidence-based framework for preventing and mitigating work disability for individual adults in the active workforce. It is designed for use by healthcare clinicians who desire to minimize the negative impact of health conditions on working people's lives and livelihoods.