Telephonic RN case management, functional health, and work days among injured workers with musculoskeletal injuries

This study explored the effect of an RN case management intervention on injured workers with musculoskeletal injuries. A two group randomized posttest controlled design was used. The hypothesis stated that injured workers, ages 20 to 65 years old, with work-related musculoskeletal injuries who were randomized to receive a six-week telephonic RN case management intervention would report higher functional health as measured by the SF-36 Health Survey and would have fewer lost days from work compared to injured workers randomized to the control group who receive treatment as usual.

A sample of 23 injured workers who were participating in physical therapy was recruited over an eight-month period. The SF-36 Health Survey assessed the injured workers’ health perceptions at the end of a six-week enrollment in the study.

The results of the ANOVA for the SF-36 Health Survey subscales indicated that there were no significant differences between the intervention group and the control group.