The relationship between compensable status and long-term patient outcomes following orthopedic trauma

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between compensable status in a "no-fault" compensation scheme and long-term outcomes after orthopaedic trauma. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective cohort study within two adult Level 1 trauma centres in Victoria, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Blunt trauma patients aged 18-64 years, admitted between September 2003 and August 2004 with orthopaedic injuries and funded by the no-fault compensation scheme for transport-related injury, or deemed non-compensable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) and return to work or study at 12 months after injury. RESULTS: Of 1033 eligible patients, 707 (68.8%) provided follow-up data; 450 compensabl..