Effectiveness of a web-based intervention for injured claimants: a randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Trials 2013-07, Vol.14 (1), p.227-227
• Main Authors: Elbers, Nieke A, Akkermans, Arno J, Cuijpers, Pim, Bruinvels, David J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Access to Information; Accidents, Traffic - economics; Accidents, Traffic - psychology; Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Analysis; Care and treatment; Claims adjustment (Insurance); Compensation and Redress; Computer-Assisted Instruction; Disability Evaluation; E-health; Eligibility Determination - economics; Female; Health aspects; Health Status; Humans; Insurance Claim Review - economics; Internet; Male; Mental Health; Methods; Middle Aged; Netherlands; Power (Psychology); Problem Solving; Self Efficacy; Stress (Psychology); Stress, Psychological - diagnosis; Stress, Psychological - economics; Stress, Psychological - etiology; Stress, Psychological - prevention & control; Stress, Psychological - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Time Factors; Traffic accidents; Wounds and Injuries - economics; Wounds and Injuries - psychology; Wounds and Injuries - therapy
• ISSN: 1745-6215; 1745-6215
• DOI: 10.1186/1745-6215-14-227

There is considerable evidence showing that injured people who are involved in a compensation process show poorer physical and mental recovery than those with similar injuries who are not involved in a compensation process. One explanation for this reduced recovery is that the legal process and the associated retraumatization are very stressful for the claimant. The aim of this study was to empower injured claimants in order to facilitate recovery. Participants were recruited by three Dutch claims settlement offices. The participants had all been injured in a traffic crash and were involved in a compensation process. The study design was a randomized controlled trial. An intervention website was developed with (1) information about the compensation process, and (2) an evidence-based, therapist-assisted problem-solving course. The control website contained a few links to already existing websites. Outcome measures were empowerment, self-efficacy, health status (including depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms), perceived fairness, ability to work, claims knowledge and extent of burden. The outcomes were self-reported through online questionnaires and were measured four times: at baseline, and at 3, 6, and 12 months. In total, 176 participants completed the baseline questionnaire after which they were randomized into either the intervention group (n=88) or the control group (n=88). During the study, 35 participants (20%) dropped out. The intervention website was used by 55 participants (63%). The health outcomes of the intervention group were no different to those of the control group. However, the intervention group considered the received compensation to be fairer (P