Delayed Recovery: Identifying Risk Factors in Workers Comp Cases w/ Diana Kraemer of IAIME

Navigating the Complexities of Delayed Recovery in Occupational Health: A Conversation with Dr. Diana Kraemer

In this episode of the Fit for Duty podcast, the host Dr. Larry Earl, President of the National Association of Occupational Health Professionals, discusses the concept of delayed recovery in occupational health with guest Dr. Diana Kraemer of iaime.org.

Dr. Diana Kraemer, an occupational medicine expert, neurosurgeon, and the President of the International Academy of Independent Medical Evaluators, shares her insights on the intricate layers of delayed recovery, addressing risk factors in workers' comp cases, utilizing the biopsychosocial approach over the limited biomedical model, and talking about medically unexplained physical symptoms.

She also highlights methods to optimize recovery processes, reduce unnecessary disability risk, and the systemic barriers in healthcare and workers' comp systems. Consideration is given to the importance of education, appropriate care referral, and the significant role of industry engagement for effective approaches.

Key Conversation Points:

00:06 Introduction to Fit for Duty Podcast

00:59 Understanding Delayed Recovery in Occupational Health

01:42 Guest Introduction: Dr. Diana Kraemer

02:58 Decoding Delayed Recovery: A Conversation with Dr. Diana Kraemer

03:20 Understanding DFRUD: Delayed and Failed Recovery, and Unnecessary Disability

04:57 The Impact of Delayed Recovery on Patient's Treatment

09:59 The Difference Between Impairment and Disability

13:31 The Biopsychosocial Model of Recovery

18:50 Strategies and Interventions for Biopsychosocial Aspects of Recovery

22:26 Special Offer from the International Academy of Independent Medical Evaluators

22:49 Integrating Biopsychosocial Model Aspects into Clinical Practice

25:39 The Importance of Movement in Injury Recovery

26:43 Addressing Migraines and Headaches in the Workplace

27:25 The Role of Sleep, Diet, and Nutraceuticals in Health

29:33 Understanding Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms

33:46 The Impact of Imaging Studies on Patient Perception

37:00 Addressing Systemic Barriers in Healthcare

41:32 Raising Awareness and Encouraging Cultural Shifts in Medical Settings

45:43 Closing Remarks and Future Discussions

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Hill Criteria Article: Fedak KM, Bernal A, Capshaw ZA, Gross S. Applying the Bradford Hill criteria in the 21st century: how data integration has changed causal inference in molecular epidemiology. Emerg Themes Epidemiol. 2015 Sep 30;12:14. doi: 10.1186/s12982-015-0037-4. PMID: 26425136; PMCID: PMC4589117. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4589117/

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