An Expert and Evidence-Informed Framework to Prevent Prolonged Absence from Work for Public Safety Personnel with a Work-Related Psychological Injury/Illness: A Consensus-Based Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

Each year in Canada, thousands of public safety personnel (PSP) must leave work because of a work-related psychological injury/illness . The loss of PSP from the workplace is of significant concern, particularly when fewer individuals are entering such occupations, and for those who do, the learning curve is steep. Public safety professions require extensive training and ongoing development to master the skills and knowledge necessary for the job. The rate of work-related injury/illness associated with public safety work has steadily increased in Canada in recent years. A subset of PSP, including firefighters, paramedics, police, and correctional workers, is of particular concern. PSP who are unable to work or have impaired functioning due to a work-related injury/illness may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Meaningful support from workers’ compensation boards (WCBs) is vital for these workers in times of work disruption and associated distress. We employed a consensus-based mixed-methods Delphi study to identify the key components of WCB case management practice, collecting data from a group of experts between March 2023 and August 2023. After a series of iterations, a consensus was reached on the key components of a practice framework for use by WCB case managers (CMs) to help mitigate or, where possible, prevent the negative consequences of work disability. This study sheds light on what is required by WCB CMs intervening with PSP to support recovery, improve quality of life, and restore work capacity. The findings of this study highlight the importance of the intersection of psychological injury/illness, occupational-cultural awareness, and best practices in disability management/rehabilitation, as well as training and resources to improve a CM’s ability to intervene with PSP. This knowledge can guide practice to help PSP rehabilitate, stay-at-work, or return-to-work. The practical implications of our findings for case management practice are significant, as they provide a roadmap for improving the support and care provided to PSP.