Introduction to Evidence-Based Decision Making in a Public Workers' Compensation Agency

Nicholas K Reul

doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2015.04.010

Introduction to Evidence-Based Decision Making in a Public Workers' Compensation Agency

Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2015 Aug;26(3):435-43. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2015.04.010. Epub 2015 Jun 19.

Author

Nicholas K Reul¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Washington, Box 359739, 325 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, USA; Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Office of the Medical Director, PO Box 44315, Olympia, WA 98504-4315, USA. Electronic address: nreul@uw.edu.

PMID: 26231957
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2015.04.010

Abstract

Peer-reviewed medical literature plays a decisive role in policy development at the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). L&I relies on multiple evidence-based mechanisms to make coverage decisions and translate medical science into public policy, including statute, rule writing, executive policy, real-time evidence assessment, pilot testing, and collaboration with researchers. Elements of L&I's policy process structure and evidence-based culture are also observed in original literature discussing the needs and barriers of incorporating evidence into public policy.

Keywords: Evidence based; Industrial insurance; Policy development; Public policy; Workers’ compensation.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Decision Making*
Evidence-Based Medicine / methods*
Humans
Program Evaluation*
Public Policy*
United States
Workers' Compensation / organization & administration*