Ting Xia, M. A. Fini, Fiona Newton, A. Collie, S. Nielsen, M. D. Di Donato
tlooto Summary
Opioids were more likely used as first-line treatments for WC claims in outer regional/remote areas, while physical therapy was favoured in major cities/inner regional areas, which reveals geographic disparities in recommended treatment guidelines.
Abstract
Purpose Little is known about transitions in physical therapy and pharmaceutical pain management among workers’ com- pensation (WC) claims with lower back pain (LBP). This study examined these transitions within Victoria’s WC system—one of 11 in Australia—to better understand treatment pathways and potential geographic variation.
Citation format
XIA, Ting, et al. Regional variation in management strategies for occupational low back pain in australia. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION, 2026.