Mental Health Challenges in a Worker’s Compensation Injury – A Case Report

Abstract

Mental health challenges are common with injured workers in the United States Worker’s Compensation system.  These mental challenges often arise later in the patient’s care journey, and may not be directly related to the initial injury.  Digital health offers a new option to track and provide intervention to these patients. This case report details an injured 55-year-old male first responder who suffered an ACL tear with surgical recovery. In the midst of his recovery, he also developed low back pain, a common associated condition.  He received digital health care through Plethy’s Recupe app, in addition to his Medical and Physical Therapy care. Though his knee recovered, the injured worker encountered substantial pushback towards his low back pain, and found it difficult to receive treatment tailored to this problem. From onset, over 9 months passed before he received treatment for his low back, and surgery was not scheduled for nearly a year. Possibly due to the delay, and his inability to perform his strenuous profession, the patient developed mental health challenges.  His Recupe coach noticed risk factors and had the patient fill out a Patient Health Questionnaire – 8 (PHQ-8) though the Recupe app.  This survey, along with the coach’s notes, revealed a risk for depression, and a report was provided to the patient’s Worker’s Compensation Claims Adjuster.  The Patient was quickly referred to mental health resources for further treatment. This case was an example of how digital health can be used to screen and catch mental health challenges at an early stage. Even though his initial condition resolved, digital health used a validated patient reported outcome measure to detect mental health risk.  Also, the patient’s care journey illustrates some of challenges that injured workers can encounter especially when they do not experience a textbook recovery.