Chronic and Episodic Health Conditions

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 or I recently took a course on Chronic and Episodic Health Conditions and how to accommodate workers suffering with these conditions in the workplace.  I realized that most people would assume these conditions are non-work related conditions.  While for the most part they are, there are some that can be brought on as a result of a work-related injury.  But first let's explore some basic information.

What is Chronic and Episodic Health Condition?
Chronic is typically characterized as being persistent and long-lasting. 
Episodic is long term illnesses and disabilities that are intermittent and often unpredictable. E.g an individual may be very ill at one point and may be totally without symptoms or much improved at another
Chronic and episodic conditions are often discussed together because many episodic conditions are also chronic.

Some very common chronic and/or episodic conditions that I deal with advocating for injured workers are the following:

• Anxiety 
• Arthritis (Typically post surgery)
• Cancer 
• Chronic Pain (Most common condition after a work-related injury)
• Depression
• Fibromyalgia
• PTSD

One of the greatest take aways from this course, is that when assisting someone with a chronic and/or episodic health condition one needs to look at the disability as affecting three key areas: biological (underlying medical reason and effects), psychological (perception of pain, emotions such as fear), and social (external environment such as economic factors, acceptance in the workplace and outside, cultural factors, etc).  While the condition may be physical, it affects all 3 areas and vice versa if the condition is psychological it also affects biological and social aspects.  This is very important to consider when returning a worker back to work and ensuring supports are in place at the workplace to address all three areas. 

Ability Management Solutions will not only ensure these conditions get accepted on your claim but will also ensure WCB is accountable to ensure the Employer has the supports in place for a safe and successful return to work.

If you or someone you know was or is affected by a workplace injury and has been diagnosed with a chronic and/or episodic condition and is unsure whether it can be work-related or secondary to the work-related injury, please contact us for a free telephone consultation.