Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Original Article

Analyzing decline in quality of life by examining employment status changes of occupationally injured workers post medical care: Won-Tae Lee, Sung-Shil Lim, Min-Seok Kim, Seong-Uk Baek, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jong-Uk Won; Ann Occup Environ Med 2022;34:e17. Published online July 18, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2022.34.e17

Abstract Abstract in Korean PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub

Background

This study aimed to investigate the decline in quality of life (QOL) by examining changes in the employment status of workers who had completed medical treatment after an industrial accident.

Methods

This study utilized the Panel Study of Worker’s Compensation Insurance cohort (published in October 2020) containing a sample survey of 3,294 occupationally injured workers who completed medical care in 2017. We divided this population into four groups according to changes in working status. A multivariate logistic regression model was utilized for evaluating QOL decline by adjusting for the basic characteristics and working environment at the time of accident. Subgroup analysis evaluated whether QOL decline differed according to disability grade and industry group.

Results

The QOL decline in the “maintained employment,” “employed to unemployed,” “remained unemployed,” and “unemployed to employed” groups were 15.3%, 28.1%, 20.2%, and 11.9%, respectively. The “maintained employment” group provided a reference. As a result of adjusting for the socioeconomic status and working environment, the odds ratios (ORs) of QOL decline for the “employed to unemployed” group and the “remained unemployed” group were 2.13 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.51–3.01) and 1.47 (95% CI, 1.13–1.90), respectively. The “unemployed to employed” group had a non-significant OR of 0.76 (95% CI, 0.54–1.07).

Conclusions

This study revealed that continuous unemployment or unstable employment negatively affected industrially injured workers’ QOL. Policy researchers and relevant ministries should further develop and improve “return to work” programs that could maintain decent employment avenues within the workers’ compensation system.

한국 산업재해 근로자의 요양 종료 후 고용상태의 변화와 삶의 질 저하와의 관계 분석
목적
산업재해 근로자의 요양 이후 직업 복귀와 삶의 질에 대한 사안은 이전부터 큰 사회적 관심사였다. 하지만 요양 종결 이후의 경제활동상태의 종적인 변화와 삶의 질과 연관시킨 연구는 거의 없다. 본 연구는 산업재해 후 요양을 마친 근로자의 고용상태 변화를 조사하여 삶의 질(QOL) 저하를 조사하는 것을 목적으로 하였다.
방법
본 연구는 2017년에 요양을 마친 3,294명의 산업재해 근로자를 대상으로 한 산재보험패널조사의 자료를 활용하였다. 우리는 이 산재노동자 인구를 근로 상태의 변화에 따라 ”고용 상태 유지”, ”고용에서 미취업 상태”, ”미취업 상태 유지” 및 ”미취업에서 고용 상태”의 4개 그룹으로 나누었다. 다변량 로지스틱 회귀모형은 기본 특성과 산업재해 당시의 작업환경을 보정하여 삶의 질 저하를 평가하는데 활용하였다. 하위집단 분석은 장애등급과 산업군에 따라 삶의 질 저하가 다른 지를 평가하였다.
결과
“고용 상태 유지”, ”고용에서 미취업 상태”, ”미취업 상태 유지” 및 ”미취업에서 고용 상태” 그룹의 삶의 질 감소 비율은 각각 15.3%, 28.1%, 20.2%, 그리고 11.9%이었다. 고용 상태를 유지한 그룹을 기준으로 하였을 때 사회경제적 상태와 근로환경을 보정한 결과 “고용에서 미취업 상태” 집단과 “미취업 상태 유지” 집단의 삶의 질 하락의 오즈비는 2.13 (95% 신뢰구간: 1.51–3.01)과 1.47로 분석되었다. (95% 신뢰구간: 1.13–1.90). "미취업에서 고용 상태" 그룹은 유의하지 않은 오즈비 0.76(95% 신뢰구간: 0.54–1.07)을 가졌다.
결론
본 연구에서는 지속적인 실업과 불안정한 고용이 산업재해 근로자의 삶의 질에 부정적인 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 높은 장해등급, 건설업종의 경우 위험성이 더 높다. 정책 연구자와 관련 부처는 산업재해 보상 시스템 내에서 적절한 고용 수단을 유지할 수 있는 프로그램의 개발 노력이 필요함을 시사한다.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Work Performance Among Workers without Disabilities after Industrial Accidents: A Longitudinal Study
Chong Min Hong
The Open Public Health Journal.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Self-Esteem Trajectories After Occupational Injuries and Diseases and Their Relation to Changes in Subjective Health: Result From the Panel Study of Workers’ Compensation Insurance (PSWCI)
Seong-Uk Baek, Won-Tae Lee, Min-Seok Kim, Myeong-Hun Lim, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jong-Uk Won
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Macro Aspect of Quality of Life Can Be Affected by Occupational Accidents, a Macro Vision for Managers
Farahnaz Khajehnasiri, Vida Zaroushani
Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology.2023; 12(3): 130. CrossRef
Prevalence and Consequences of Verbal Aggression among Bank Workers: A Survey into an Italian Banking Institution
Daniela Acquadro Maran, Antonella Varetto, Cristina Civilotti, Nicola Magnavita
Administrative Sciences.2022; 12(3): 78. CrossRef

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Case Report

An aggravated return-to-work case of organic solvent induced chronic toxic encephalopathy: Sangyun Seo, Jungwon Kim; Ann Occup Environ Med 2018;30:27. Published online April 27, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0232-1

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Background

Organic solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy (CTE) is known as a non-progressive disorder that does not progress after diagnosis. The authors present a case those symptoms worsened after continued exposure to organic solvent after returning to work. Because such a case has not been reported in South Korea to the best of our knowledge, we intend to report this case along with literature review.

Case presentation

A 59-year-old man, who performed painting job at a large shipyard for 20 years, was receiving hospital treatment mainly for depression. During the inpatient treatment, severe cognitive impairment was identified, and he visited the occupational and environmental medicine outpatient clinic for assessing work relatedness. In 1984, at the age of 27, he began performing touch-up and spray painting as a shipyard painter. Before that he had not been exposure to any neurotoxic substances. In 2001, at the age of 44, after 15 years of exposure to mixed solvents including toluene, xylene and others, he was diagnosed with CTE International Solvent Workshop (ISW) type 2A. After 7 years of sick leave, he returned to work in 2006. And he repeated return-to-work and sick leave in the same job due to worsening of depressive symptoms. He had worked four times (2006–2010, 2011–2011, 2011–2011, 2016–2017) for a total of 5 years as a shipyard painter after first compensation. During the return-to-work period, the mean values of the mixed solvent index ranged from 0.57 to 2.15, and except for a one semiannual period, all mean values were above the standard value of 1. We excluded other diseases that can cause cognitive impairment like central nervous system diseases, brain injury, psychological diseases and metabolic diseases with physical examinations, laboratory tests, and brain image analysis. And finally, throughout neuropsychological tests, an overall deterioration in cognitive function was identified compared to 2002, and the deterioration types was similar to that often shown in the case of CTE; thus a diagnosis of CTE (ISW) type 3 was made.

Conclusion

This case is showing that CTE can go on with continued exposure to mixed solvents. Appropriate “fitness to work” should be taken to prevent disease deterioration especially for the sick leave workers.

Citations

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Research Article

Factors related to the physician and the employer influencing successful return to work in Korea: results from the first panel study of workers’ compensation insurance (PSWCI): Wanhyung Lee, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jaehoon Roh, Yeong-Kwang Kim, Hongdeok Seok, June-Hee Lee, Jong-Uk Won; Ann Occup Environ Med 2015;27:27. Published online December 11, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-015-0076-x

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Objectives

This study aims to investigate associated factors including the physician and the employer of successful return to work (RTW) in occupationally injured workers.

Methods

This study is based on the first panel study of workers’ compensation insurance (PSWCI), published in June 2014. The PSWCI is a sample survey of occupationally injured workers who completed medical care in 2012 (89,921 people). A total of 2000 subjects were sampled based on sex, age, nine metropolitan-based regions, disability ratings, duration of rehabilitation, and whether vocational rehabilitation service was used. We divided the study population into two groups: return to work (RTW) group (job retention, reemployment, unpaid family worker, and self-employment), and non-RTW group (joblessness and economical inactivity). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) related to differences in basic characteristics, part of physician and employer-related factors between those who succeeded to RTW and those who did not were measured using multivariable logistic regression model.

Results

The success of RTW is 70.6 % (n = 1412) among participants. The ORs (95 % CI) of the participants belonging to RTW who received periodic recovery assessment from the medical care institution and the physician are 1.51 (1.07–2.13). The ORs (95 % CI) are 1.68 (1.05–2.69) for the RTW group who received work ability assessment and referral for vocational return. When the employer maintains the relationship with the occupationally injured worker, the worker has 1.39 times higher odds (95 % CI: 1.41–2.26) of the RTW group compared to the non-RTW group.

Conclusions

The physician and the employer have a significant impact on the RTW.

Citations

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Jongin Lee, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim
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Research Article

The effects of individual, occupational, and supportive factors on successful return to work using a structural equation model: Jongin Lee, Min Choi, Sung Hye Park, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Hye-Eun Lee; Ann Occup Environ Med 2015;27:21. Published online August 28, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-015-0070-3

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Objectives

We aimed to ascertain the relationship between several factors and successful return to work using a structural equation model.

Methods

We used original data from the Panel Study of Worker’s Compensation Insurance, and defined four latent variables as occupational, individual, supportive, and successful return to work. Each latent variable was defined by its observed variables, including age, workplace size, and quality of the medical services. A theoretical model in which all latent variables had a relationship was suggested. After examining the model, we modified some pathways that were not significant or did not fit, and selected a final structural equation model that had the highest goodness of fit.

Results

All three latent variables (occupational, individual, and supportive) showed statistically significant relationships with successful return to work. The occupational and supportive factors had relationships with each other, but there was no relationship between individual and the other factors. Nearly all observed variables had significance with their latent variables. The correlation coefficients from the latent variables to successful return to work were statistically significant and the indices for goodness of fit were satisfactory. In particular, four observed variables—handicap level, duration of convalescence, working duration, and support from the company—showed construct validities with high correlation coefficients.

Conclusions

All factors that we examined are related to successful return to work. We should focus on the supportive factor the most because its variables are modifiable to promote a return to work by those injured in their workplace.

Citations

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Original Article

Predictors of Return to Work and Job Retention after Work-Related Injury or Illness: Hee Tae Kang, Hyoung June Im, Yong Kyu Kim, Young Su Ju, Hwa Pyung Lee, Jeong Min Kim, Young Jun Kwon; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2006;18(3):221-231. Published online September 30, 2006; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2006.18.3.221

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
This research was conducted to investigate workers'return to work rate after work-related injury or illness and to determine which factors could predict return to work and job retention.
METHODS
From the documents held by the six local branches of the Korea Labor Welfare Corporation(KLWP), 2,464 cases of work-related injury or illness which had telephone numbers were identified from September to December, 2003. Data about the employment status was gained from 921 occupationally injured workers through telephone questionnaire and was merged with the electronic data obtained from KLWP with included information of the workers whose worker's compensation period was ended from 2002 to 2004. Finally the data for 516 workers was analysed by logistic regression using SAS 9.0.
RESULTS
The return to work rate was 50.3% and the job retention rate was 28.3%. Decreased return to work rate was associated with old age, shorter employment duration, longer treatment duration, higher disability grade, lower average wage and manual worker. Decreased job retention rate was associated with a smaller number of employees, shorter employment duration and work in the construction industry.
CONCLUSIONS
This research highlighted the numerous occupationally injured workers who couldn't return to work and the multiple factors that were associated with the return to work or job retention. Based on this and related research, rehabilitation programs which consider the issues of return to work and job retention have to be implemented.

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Suk Won Bae, Sarah Soyeon Oh, Wha Me Park, Jaehoon Roh, Jong-Uk Won
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Pre-injury job characteristics and return to work among injured workers in South Korea: differences by socio-demographic and injury-related characteristics
Soo Kyung Park, Chung Kwon Lee
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Inchul Jeong, Jae Bum Park, Hyoung Ryoul Kim, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jong-Uk Won, Jaehoon Roh
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
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Income Changes Due to Disability Ratings and Participation in Economic Activities Caused by Industrial Accidents: A Population-Based Study of Data from the Fourth Panel Study of Workers’ Compensation Insurance (PSWCI)
Suk Won Bae, Sehyun Yun, Ye Seol Lee, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jaehoon Roh, Jong-Uk Won
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The effects of individual, occupational, and supportive factors on successful return to work using a structural equation model
Jongin Lee, Min Choi, Sung Hye Park, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Hye-Eun Lee
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Statistical analysis of economic activity state of workers with industrial injuries using a competing risk model
Gippeum Doh, Sooyeon Kim, Yang-Jin Kim
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Factors related to the physician and the employer influencing successful return to work in Korea: results from the first panel study of workers’ compensation insurance (PSWCI)
Wanhyung Lee, Jin-Ha Yoon, Jaehoon Roh, Yeong-Kwang Kim, Hongdeok Seok, June-Hee Lee, Jong-Uk Won
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2015;[Epub] CrossRef
Current Situation and Issue of Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance
Inah Kim, Jeongbae Rhie, Jo-Duk Yoon, Jinsoo Kim, Jonguk Won
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Original Article

Predictors of Return to Work in Occupational Injured Workers: Won Mee Jeong, Chung Yill Park, Jung Wan Koo, Young man Roh; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2003;15(2):119-131. Published online June 30, 2003; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2003.15.2.119

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
In order to obtain information useful in setting up occupational rehabilitation programs, an evaluation was conducted to determine predictive factors of workers' return to work after an occupational injury.
METHODS
13, 903 records of registered occupationally injured cases identified to have received disability compensation in 1998 were collected from the 36 branch of Korean Labor Welfare Corporation(KLWC). Through simple systematic sampling, a total of 3, 658 cases were selected as final subjects. Status of return to work, general characteristics, workplace characteristics, disability characteristics and disability outcome characteristics were collected from the KLWC and National Health Insurance Corporation records(NHIC). For statistical analyses, chi-square test and stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis were applied using the SAS software package program.
RESULTS
Negatively affecting significant predictive factors for return to work were included the female gender, age of 50 years or older, 6 month or less of work duration, 1 or less family dependents, workplace with 200 or less employees, electric, gas, waterwork companies, foot injuries compared to finger injuries, fall from elevation, high degree of disability claims(1~4 grade), and period of medical care more than 181 days.
CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the poor rate return to work in occupationally injured workers' is particularly affected by female gender, older-aged employees, and workers employed by electric, gas, waterwork companies. Also, it was more difficult to return to work for workers who received injuries from a fall from elevation and who had longer period of medical care(more than 181days). It is strongly recommended that more efficient and systematic occupational rehabilitation programs be set up, taking into consideration the above mentioned factors.

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The effects of individual, occupational, and supportive factors on successful return to work using a structural equation model
Jongin Lee, Min Choi, Sung Hye Park, Hyoung-Ryoul Kim, Hye-Eun Lee
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2015;[Epub] CrossRef
Factors related to the physician and the employer influencing successful return to work in Korea: results from the first panel study of workers’ compensation insurance (PSWCI)
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