Physical Therapist, Heal Thyself

Physical therapists (PTs) often treat patients with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD). But what happens when the therapist suffers a WMSD? How common is this? What’s it like for these therapists?

Researchers in Australia are studying these and other questions. The first study showed that 91 percent of all PTs surveyed had a WMSD at one time or another. Only 7.4 percent filed for worker’s compensation (WC). A close look showed many PTs were unable to work because of the WMSD and could have asked for WC benefits.

In the first study, a group of 18 PTs were found who had to change their career because of WMSDs. The second part of this study looked at six of those 18 who filed WC claims. What was their experience like? Were they treated as if they didn’t have a real problem? Did they feel judged by coworkers or thought of as less capable than an uninjured therapist?

All six therapists reported having a negative experience with WC. The therapists described it as a “nightmare” and “worse than the pain from my injury.” They summarized their experiences as follows:

  • WC makes it difficult to file a claim without the help of a lawyer.
  • WC doesn’t expect workers to return to work. They don’t know how to help workers transition back after being off. Workers often must return to work full-time or not at all.
  • WC doctors were equally negative and filed misleading or wrong information about the patients.
  • It’s likely that patients who aren’t trained in the health field have an even more trouble with WC.
  • Therapists may avoid filing WC claims because they think it will hurt their chances for a job later. Employers may use the WC claim as a reason not to hire the PT.

    The authors conclude more study is needed around the topic of workers’ compensation. How does the Australian system compare to other systems? How do the experiences of PTs compare to other occupations? Do physicians change the way they treat patients based on the patient’s social status? Finding the answers to these questions may help therapists understand their own patient’s experiences with workers’ compensation.