Journal article
Quantifying value loss due to presenteeism and absenteeism in workers’ compensation spinal patients
North American Spine Society journal (NASSJ), Vol.19, 100527
07/2024
DOI: 10.1016/j.xnsj.2024.100527
PMCID: PMC11375133
PMID: 39239362
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that better outcomes in work productivity following spine surgery eventually offset the higher cost of treatment. By analyzing preoperative and postoperative changes in work productivity, studies can determine if surgery is cost-effective and give patients valuable information about treatment. Prior studies reviewing outcomes in work performance after spine surgery have largely excluded patients on workers’ compensation from the overall cost analysis.
A retrospective review of 92 eligible patients was conducted. Evaluation of the EHR identified presenteeism and absenteeism from designated work restrictions. Statistical analyses were conducted using JMP Pro 17.
84 (83%) spinal surgery cases were able to return to work, 60 (59%) were able to return to work with no restrictions, 26 (26%) received permanent work restrictions, and 12 (12%) were still undergoing treatment. 86 (85%) experienced presenteeism and 99 (98%) experienced absenteeism. Of the cases that were able to return to work without permanent work restrictions, the mean presenteeism length postoperatively was 287.4 days (median 191 days) and the mean absenteeism length postoperatively was 232.5 days (median 142 days). 72 patients were identified as having sedentary or non-sedentary labor. After excluding outliers, the average return-to-work length was 988.62 days for patients with sedentary employment types and 952.15 days for patients with non-sedentary employment types (p=0.116).
Following spinal surgery, our worker's compensation patient population's return-to-work rate was at an average of 232.5 days (median of 142 days) for 83% of patients included in this study. This exhibited worse outcomes than a previous study's measurement excluding worker's compensation patients. Presenteeism length within our population contributed more to decreased work productivity postoperatively than absenteeism length. Our results found no significant difference in return-to-work length between patients with sedentary and non-sedentary employment types.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Quantifying value loss due to presenteeism and absenteeism in workers’ compensation spinal patients
- Creators
- Francis OgabanAlex CoffmanNatalie GlassCassim IgramAndrew PugelyCatherine Olinger
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- North American Spine Society journal (NASSJ), Vol.19, 100527
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.xnsj.2024.100527
- PMID
- 39239362
- PMCID
- PMC11375133
- ISSN
- 2666-5484
- eISSN
- 2666-5484
- Grant note
Venous Roshdibenam and Jill Corlette all contributed meaningfully to the research process. The research study was conducted as part of the Summer Research Fellowship Program at Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa. All funding for this project was provided by the study institution. No additional funding or grants were utilized.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 07/2024
- Academic Unit
- Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; Neurosurgery
- Record Identifier
- 9984687784502771
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