15 Feb Lorraine is a 50-year-old production worker in a small manufacturing plant. She is a divorced mother, with three older children and aging parents that require a lot of care. Two mo

Scenario: Lorraine: The Family Doctor: Advocate or Obstacle?
Lorraine is a 50-year-old production worker in a small manufacturing plant. She is a divorced mother,
with three older children and aging parents that require a lot of care. Two months ago, Loraine
sustained a back injury when lifting a box filled with car parts. Her family doctor, Dr. Moss, who has
known her family for many years, diagnosed the problem as back strain. He asked Loraine about her job, and she told him that she had to bend and lift parts during much of the day. He suggested that she take
a couple of weeks off and return to his office at the end of that time.
Dr. Moss knew of the demanding family situation Loraine was in but was not aware of the modified work possibilities within her company. He felt that she needed this opportunity to rest and get back on her feet. After two weeks, Lorraine was still reporting significant pain and Dr. Moss extended her leave, hoping that full recovery would allow her to return to work successfully. However, there has been no change, and Lorraine remains off work at the present time, six weeks after her injury.
The company where Lorraine works has an active modified work committee, composed of
management representatives, the health and safety committee and the occupational health nurse.
Matt, the occupational health nurse, has made several attempts to contact Dr. Moss, to explain the
program and the work options available to Lorraine – options that would not involve lifting, bending, or
other activities that could impede her recovery. Matt has inquired with Dr. Moss about the reasons for Lorraine’s continued absence, and whether she could return to modified work. Matt feels that Dr. Moss sees such attempts as questioning his professional judgment. It is difficult for Matt to reach him by telephone. When he did get through, Dr. Moss said curtly that the information he was seeking was confidential, and he was not at liberty to share any information.
Matt is frustrated in his attempts to resolve the situation. He is aware of Lorraine’s domestic situation
and has suggested that she might want to see a counsellor in the company’s Employee Assistance
Program (which is fully confidential) to help talk through her problems. Lorraine has not done this. Dr.
Moss’s lack of knowledge about possibilities within the employment setting, and resistance to
communicating openly with the employer, continue to deter Lorraine from returning to full earning
capacity.
Questions:
1. What went right?
2. What went wrong?
3. What might have improved the outcome?
4. Do you agree with Dr. Moss that the information Matt is seeking is confidential?
5. Is Lorraine’s family doctor an advocate or obstacle? Please explain your answer.
Rationale
This assignment will evaluate the following course learning outcomes:
CLO4: Discuss the best practices that are key to a successful disability management program including prevention, early intervention, and associated documentation.
CLO5: Describe the principles of confidentiality and privacy in order to protect sensitive information to uphold the legislative requirements.
CLO7: Develop interviewing techniques and conflict resolution strategies to promote positive communication in identifying barriers to return to work.