Policy on prior shoulder dislocations is longstanding. The scientific basis of the policy had been identified as requiring scientific review. The Policy, Regulation and Research Division therefore commissioned a scientific review to determine:

• the duration of recurrence-free status that is likely to signify clinical stability in a previously traumatically dislocated shoulder;
• whether evidence supports the assumption that prompt reduction of a shoulder dislocation is associated with less (or minimal) disablement from work; and
• if evidence suggests that disability after a recurrent shoulder dislocation is generally limited to two weeks.

At issue is whether current policy on prior shoulder dislocations is supported by scientific evidence.

At their meeting on September 19, 2017, the Board of Directors approved the release of a discussion paper with options, a narrative review of the scientific literature, and proposed policy amendments to stakeholders for comment. Proposed deletions of policy wording are identified with a strikethrough and additions are identified in bold.

Discussion paper

There are a number of ways for stakeholders to provide feedback on the options and draft policy amendments.

Submissions can be submitted as follows:

The consultation period will end on January 12, 2018. The Board of Directors will consider stakeholder feedback before making a decision on policy amendments.

Please note that all comments become part of the Policy and Regulation Division’s database and may be published, including the identity of organizations and those participating on behalf of organizations. The identity of those who have participated on their own behalf will be kept confidential according to the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.