General Guideline Principles for Psychological Evaluation
and Intervention of Non-Acute Pain for
workers compensation patients

The New York State workers compensation board has developed these guidelines to help physicians, podiatrists, and other healthcare professionals provide appropriate treatment for Psychological Evaluation and Intervention of – Non-Acute Pain.

These Workers Compensation Board guidelines are intended to assist healthcare professionals in making decisions regarding the appropriate level of care for their patients with ankle and foot disorders.

The guidelines are not a substitute for clinical judgement or professional experience. The ultimate decision regarding care must be made by the patient in consultation with his or her healthcare provider.

Evaluation of Non-Pharmacological Approaches

  • A ritual psychological or psychosocial assessment should be taken into consideration for patients who do not recover from an injury as expected to identify any psychosocial barriers to recovery.

  • A thorough psychological assessment may help in detecting secondary risk factors, also known as “yellow flags,” such as work unhappiness, as well as primary risk factors, often known as “red flags,” such as psychosis and active suicidality. Throughout the patient’s treatment, potential obstacles to recuperation (psychological issues/yellow flag should be continuously assessed.

  • Clinicians may have a better knowledge of the patient thanks to the interpretations of the evaluation, which would allow for a more successful treatment and rehabilitation strategy.

  • When appropriate, tests of psychological working or psychometric testing can be an important part of the psychological assessment.

    • In addition to helping with treatment planning, career planning, and treatment evaluation, testing can be helpful in assessing mental health issues, pain disorders, cognitive performance, and motivation.

    • Many of these exams are written at the sixth-grade level, and some of them are accessible in Spanish language and other languages.

    • If a physician who speaks the patient’s native language is not readily available, a qualified language translator must be used. A provider who speaks the patient’s primary language is greatly desired.

  • When the influence of probable secondary gain difficulties and truthfulness of the disease presentation need to be considered, psychometric tests that give sustainability scales, such as MMPI, are often the most recommended.

  • Determining if psychological or behavioural therapies are necessary is crucial.

Intervention of Non-Pharmacological Approaches

  • As soon as the issue is recognized, psychosocial treatment should be started. It is a crucial part of managing a patient with non-severe pain.

  • Psychotherapeutic care and cognitive-behavioral therapy, which includes biofeedback and relaxation exercises, are examples of psychosocial therapies.

  • Patient coping, adaptability, self-management, and self-efficacy, as well as the decrease of handicap, should all be emphasized throughout interventions.

  • Different settings for treatment are possible, including personalized models and multi- or interdisciplinary affliction management models.

  • Considering physician or psychiatrist may prescribe medication to address a condition that has been identified.

  • Regularly providing hypnotic or sedative drugs should be postponed until, if necessary, a mental assessment and diagnosis.

What our office can do if you have workers compensation injuries

We have the experience to help you with their workers compensation injuries. We understand what you are going through and will meet your medical needs and follow the guidelines set by the New York State Workers Compensation Board.

We understand the importance of your workers compensation cases. Let us help you navigate through the maze of dealing with the workers compensation insurance company and your employer.

We understand that this is a stressful time for you and your family. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us so we will do everything we can to make it as easy on you as possible.

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I am fellowship trained in joint replacement surgery, metabolic bone disorders, sports medicine and trauma. I specialize in total hip and knee replacements, and I have personally written most of the content on this page.

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