TABLE IV.

Examples of worker suggestions for WC system improvements, by major theme

Major theme	Worker suggestions
Efficiency, access, services	Simplify the complicated process/paperwork that makes everything much more difficult
	Make it easier to report (hard to find website, where to file)
	Would like someone to walk through accident at site because it`s so hard over the phone
	Focus investigation more on companies, less on employees
	Have the WC system investigate the injury/situation themselves so that investigation is unbiased
	The system needs to become more efficient, every minute counts when injured
	Pay injured workers sooner
	Help people find temporary work that won’t exacerbate their injury while waiting on WC claim
	The system should be more compliant with the doctor’s orders and recommendations
	Make it easier to get medical imaging taken care of earlier in the process
	Better education of doctors and their offices about the WC claims would be helpful
	Make sure the case manager knows the whole situation and rules
	They need to hire more people and not put so many cases on one overwhelmed case worker
	The system needs to be more case-by-case/personalized
	Make it easier to: get into the programs; appeal a decision; reopen claims when they’re closed
	More follow up would be good, and options if still having problems
Social/navigational support, communication, respect	More compassion and understanding for injured worker; less blaming the worker
	Caseworkers need to be proactive in contacting clients and letting them know what’s going on
	More willingness to communicate, talk on phone or face to face or email, not letters
	A patient advocate would be helpful to navigate through the confusing system
	Need more support with medical mishaps/mistakes
	Continuity with one case worker would help; communicate with worker about vacation coverage
	More contact between the case workers
	More communication with management of company [employer]
	Improve communication breakdowns between doctors and WC (paperwork and fax system)
	Improve communication between self-insured provider and WC
	The web site needs to have more clear, precise explanations of what forms to fill out
	Use language that everyone can understand; shouldn’t need a lawyer to understand language
	Some sort of a manual or class that provides more information about your rights and options
	Provide explanation for why claims are denied
	Be transparent on the level of financial compensation you’re going to receive
Law/system change	Don’t require use of sick time and vacation time for work injury
	Claims should automatically stay open for one year after RTW [for follow-up]
	Change the way they do the IME evaluation; more in-depth examinations; more competent IMEs
	Change rating guidelines; include pain in disability criteria; re-evaluate categorization of injuries
	Washington needs to get in line with rest of United States in terms of how they rate disability
	I would do away with the entire system; socialized medicine would fix everything
Physical rehabilitation/health care	More options/availability for health care, physical therapy, chiropractor, counseling
	Have better quality doctors available that understand the WC system
	Longer physical therapy sessions; extend the [length of] time you can do physical therapy
	Have prescribed medication be available to the worker without having to switch medications
	More comprehensive approach to health care after the injury and continued care
	Have health benefits while you’re injured -- regular health care not related to the injury
Return-to-work issues	Understand the job description, to avoid sending people back to work too early
	Claim managers shouldn’t push you to RTW while denying programs that would help you RTW
	Provide help for injured workers to get a job; don`t leave them hanging
	Facilitate finding more options for a less physical job or part-time work

IME, Independent Medical Examination/Examiner; WC, workers’ compensation.