WSIB dermatitis claims file review

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	Title	WSIB dermatitis claims file review
	Year	2000
CREOD Investigators		Linn Holness
CREOD Research Program		Occupational Skin Disease
Research Theme		Health services – compensation
Funder		Unfunded
Product Type		Research Study
Background		Little is known about the compensation process, particularly the medical information available for decision-making.
Study Focus (Research Question/Goals/ Methods)		The objective of the study was to review the medical information in a compensation claim file and determine the associations between available information and decisions. Fifty WSIB dermatitis claim files were abstracted in 1998.
Key Findings		70% were for no lost time. 1/3 were accepted. 1/3 of files had only the initial reporting form and no further medical information. 44% had information from a dermatologist. Only 25% had a description of the relationship between symptoms and work. 31% had patch testing noted, though results were only available in 12%. Claims for lost time or those that were accepted had more information available in the claim file, seen a dermatologist, had patch testing.
Implications for Health/Labour Policy and Practice		Improving the medical information available (and if necessary arranging for appropriate assessment) is important for decision-making for claims for work-related dermatitis.
Publication Information		Publications Holness DL. Results of a pilot study reviewing dermatitis claims submitted to the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. J Cut Med Surg 2000;4:117-120. Presentations Holness DL. Results of a pilot study reviewing dermatitis claims submitted to the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. J Cut Med Surg 2000;4:117-120.