Understanding how physicians allocate causation in possibly work-related injury and illness
研究家庭医生评估疑似工作相关伤病因果关系的因素，发现病情性质和场景特征比医生个人报告历史更能影响判断，对工伤补偿政策制定者有用。
<h3>Objectives</h3> To identify the factors that influence a family physician9s assessment of causation for compensation purposes in suspected work-related injury or illness. <h3>Methods</h3> Four groups of family physicians with differing levels of prior reporting to the Workers9 Compensation Board (zero, low, medium, and high) in Alberta, Canada, were sent four case scenarios and a series of questions related to these. For each scenario there were four different versions (SS, SW, WS, WW) with either strong or weak features suggesting work was an important cause or contributor, and either strong or weak features suggesting non-work causes or contributors. Responses to questions about causation were made on visual analogue scales. <h3>Results</h3> The nature of the condition and the scenario type (ie, the information about workplace and non-workplace factors) were both associated with the physicians9 opinions on causation. The physicians9 understanding of the nature of work. the timing of symptoms, and the patients9 implied opinion about work relatedness all appeared important in reaching a decision that a condition was work related, while the presence of other potential causes outside work seemed important in reaching a decision that a condition was not work-related. Prior reporting history of the physician was not strongly associated with opinions on work-relatedness. <h3>Conclusions</h3> The characteristics of the scenario were more important in determining physicians9 opinion about work-relatedness than the prior reporting characteristics of the physician, suggesting that it may be the case mix, rather than physician interest, that determines high or low rates of reporting.