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Is Compensation Bad for your Back?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 August 2015

Grant Duncan
Grant Duncan*
Affiliation:
Massey University
*
Department of Social Policy and Social Work, Massey University, Albany, Private Bag 102 904, North Shore MSC, Auckland, New Zealand
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Extract

A series of studies has tested the hypothesis that individuals with chronic pain (especially low back pain) who are receiving compensation respond less satisfactorily to treatment and rehabilitation than those not receiving it, and that symptoms and disability are reinforced and maintained by financial reward. Some examples of evidence for such ‘compensation neurosis’ are reviewed. The impact of socio-economic status, employment and litigation need also to be taken into account. The best response to individuals with chronic pain who are receiving compensation may not be the obvious punitive one of lowering or ceasing benefits. Rather, a compensation system minimising litigation and emphasising co-ordinated rehabilitation is advocated. The author challenges a common clinical — and political — bias against the so-called ‘compensation patient’.

Type
Articles
Information
The Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling , Volume 2 , Issue 2 , 1996 , pp. 128 - 139
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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References

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