Contractor Survey-Field Nurse Survey

Field Nurse Survey
1. Introduction
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey regarding your experiences with OWCP.
The goal of the survey is to provide feedback to OWCP on the effectiveness of recently implemented operational
enhancements as well as to provide a baseline for future changes. All responses will be kept anonymous and
confidential. Your honest feedback is important to our future success and genuinely appreciated.
This survey should take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.

Page 1

Field Nurse Survey
2. COP Nurses
Other

1. How often do you see copies of the COP Nurse reports on cases that are assigned to
you?
j
k
l
m
n

Always

j
k
l
m
n

Frequently

j
k
l
m
n

About half the time

j
k
l
m
n

Rarely

j
k
l
m
n

Never [Skip to Question 3]

2. If you have seen COP Nurse reports on cases assigned to you, how effective do you
think the COP reports are in communicating the following information?
Somewhat Effective

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Whether or not the
employee has returned to

Somewhat Ineffective Extremely Ineffective

Don't Know/Not

Extremely Effective

Applicable

work
Estimated return to work
dates
Obtaining medical
information for more rapid
adjudication
Problems the employee is
having with treatment,
return to work or psychosocial issues that may need
to be dealt with
Problems the employing
agency may be having with
obtaining needed medical
information in order to
facilitate return to work
Communicating the barriers
to return to work
Suggesting interventions to
assist with recovery and
return to work
Additional Comments

5
6

3. How helpful are the COP Nurses to you in managing cases to which you are
assigned?
j
k
l
m
n

Extremely Helpful

j
k
l
m
n

Somewhat Helpful

j
k
l
m
n

Not Very Helpful

j
k
l
m
n

Not At All Helpful

j
k
l
m
n

Don't Know/Not

Applicable

Page 2

Field Nurse Survey
4. Do you currently function as both a COP Nurse and a Field Nurse for OWCP?
j
k
l
m
n

Yes

j
k
l
m
n

No

Page 3

Field Nurse Survey
3. Field Nurses
5. What is the "average" length of time from the date of injury/illness that you receive a
Field Nurse referral for intervention?
j
k
l
m
n

Less than 4 weeks from the date of injury/illness

j
k
l
m
n

Between 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the injury/illness

j
k
l
m
n

Between 8 weeks and 12 weeks after the injury/illness

j
k
l
m
n

More than 12 weeks after the injury/illness

6. How would you define your role on an OWCP case?
5
6

Page 4

Field Nurse Survey
7. On "average", how would you rate the value of Field Nurses' assistance in the
following areas?

The claimant’s understanding
of their medical situation
Facilitating activities which
speed recovery
Assisting the Medical
Provider with the

Don't Know/Not

Extremely Helpful

Somewhat Helpful

Not Very Helpful

Not At All Helpful

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Applicable

billing/authorization/payment
system
Participating in discussions
with medical providers
Gaining cooperation of the
medical providers
Claimant’s timely and
sustained return to work at the
Employing Agency
Gathering and
communicating information
regarding return-to-work
Identifying barriers to returnto-work and a plan to
overcome them
Obtaining physical
restrictions/release to returnto-work
Recommendations for
obtaining second medical
opinions
Additional Comments

5
6

Page 5

Field Nurse Survey
4. Field Nurses and RTW
8. Do you believe that an earlier Field Nurse intervention would assist the injured worker
to recover more quickly and return to work?
j
k
l
m
n

Yes

j
k
l
m
n

No

9. In "general", how often do you stay involved on a case until the injured worker has
returned-to-work?
j
k
l
m
n

Always

j
k
l
m
n

Frequently

j
k
l
m
n

About half the time

j
k
l
m
n

Rarely

j
k
l
m
n

Never

j
k
l
m
n

Don't Know

10. How often do your cases require an extension of your time in order to complete
necessary activities?
j
k
l
m
n

Always

j
k
l
m
n

Frequently

j
k
l
m
n

About half the time

j
k
l
m
n

Rarely

j
k
l
m
n

Never

j
k
l
m
n

Don't Know

Page 6

Field Nurse Survey
11. On what percentage of the cases with requested extensions is the extension
granted?
j
k
l
m
n

Less than 10%

j
k
l
m
n

Between 10% and 25%

j
k
l
m
n

Between 26% and 50%

j
k
l
m
n

Between 51% and 75%

j
k
l
m
n

Between 76% and 100%

j
k
l
m
n

Don’t Know

12. If you do stay involved until return-to-work, do you believe it is important to the
outcome of the claim that you stay involved?
j
k
l
m
n

Yes

j
k
l
m
n

No

If NO, please explain:

5
6

13. If you do not stay involved until return-to-work, in what ways would a longer Field
Nurse intervention have been helpful to the overall outcome?
(Please check all that apply):
c
d
e
f
g

Better injured worker understanding of the ongoing medical situation

c
d
e
f
g

Better communication/cooperation with the medical provider

c
d
e
f
g

Improved communication/cooperation with the Employing Agency

c
d
e
f
g

Faster return-to-work

c
d
e
f
g

Ability to ultimately obtain a full duty release to return-to-work

c
d
e
f
g

More permanent return-to-work

c
d
e
f
g

Other (please specify)

Page 7

Field Nurse Survey
14. Do you support more flexible use of Field Nurses based on case need and potential
value rather than pre-determined timeframes?
j
k
l
m
n

Yes

j
k
l
m
n

No

j
k
l
m
n

Don't Know

Page 8

Field Nurse Survey
5. Field Nurse Referrals
15. In "general", over the past year of assignments as a Field Nurse on OWCP cases,
how often do you believe you were assigned the case at the appropriate time for
maximum recovery and return to work success?
j
k
l
m
n

Not on any of the cases I was referred

j
k
l
m
n

In less than 10% of the cases I was referred

j
k
l
m
n

In 10% but less than 25% of the cases I was referred

j
k
l
m
n

In 25% but less than 50% of the cases I was referred

j
k
l
m
n

In 50% but less than 75% of the cases I was referred

j
k
l
m
n

In 75% but less than 100% of the cases I was referred

j
k
l
m
n

In all the cases I was referred

16. Once assigned as a Field Nurse on a case, how often do you lose the ability to stay
on a case when you think you could still add value?
j
k
l
m
n

Always

j
k
l
m
n

Frequently

j
k
l
m
n

About half the time

j
k
l
m
n

Rarely

j
k
l
m
n

Never

j
k
l
m
n

Don't Know

17. As a Field Nurse, how often have you been assigned to an OWCP case prior to:

The end of the
Continuation of Pay (COP)

Always

Frequently

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

About half the

Rarely

Never

Dont' Know

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

time

period
The claim being
adjudicated

18. OPTIONAL: Do you have any suggestions for how the Field Nurse program at OWCP
could be improved so workers could recover and return to work more quickly?
5
6

Page 9

Field Nurse Survey
6. Staff Nurse Role
19. How often do you typically discuss cases with the following other key stakeholders?
Always

Frequently

About half the time

Sometimes

Never

Staff Nurse alone

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Claims Examiner alone

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Staff Nurse and Claims

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Examiner together

20. On cases that require regular conversations with the Claims Examiner and/or Staff
Nurse, how frequently do you typically review the case with them?
j
k
l
m
n

Once a month

j
k
l
m
n

At least once every 90 days

j
k
l
m
n

Only when one of us thinks we need to

j
k
l
m
n

Never

j
k
l
m
n

Other (please specify)

5
6

21. How is your performance as a Field Nurse evaluated by OWCP?
(Please check all that apply):
c
d
e
f
g

Staff Nurses monitor process-related measure (timeliness of reports, etc) on my cases and use that to evaluate my performance

c
d
e
f
g

OWCP surveys Claims Examiners and/or Employing Agencies to determine their level of satisfaction with my services

c
d
e
f
g

Staff Nurses use return to work statistics to see which Field Nurse has the best results

c
d
e
f
g

Staff Nurses use return to work statistics but take into consideration the severity of injury and evaluate catastrophic case management

separately

c
d
e
f
g

I get feedback only when it is time to renew my contract

c
d
e
f
g

I do not know how my performance as a Field Nurse is evaluated by OWCP

c
d
e
f
g

Other (please itemize any additional evaluation criteria in the comments box below)

5
6

Page 10

Field Nurse Survey
22. Would it be helpful to you in managing your cases if you had more specific,
outcome-oriented performance goals?
j
k
l
m
n

Yes

j
k
l
m
n

No

j
k
l
m
n

Don't Know

If YES, what types of outcome goals would be most meaningful/helpful?

5

6

23. Overall, how helpful is the Staff Nurse in facilitating resolution of any problems you
encounter with your cases?
j
k
l
m
n

Extremely Helpful

j
k
l
m
n

Helpful

j
k
l
m
n

Somewhat Helpful

j
k
l
m
n

Not Helpful

j
k
l
m
n

Don't Know

Page 11

Field Nurse Survey
7. Vocational Services
24. How often do you work with a Rehabilitation Counselor on OWCP cases?
j
k
l
m
n

Always

j
k
l
m
n

Frequently

j
k
l
m
n

About half the time

j
k
l
m
n

Rarely

j
k
l
m
n

Never

j
k
l
m
n

Don’t Know

25. If task-oriented vocational services could have been provided while you were still
assigned to cases, would that have facilitated a faster return-to-work?
j
k
l
m
n

Yes

j
k
l
m
n

No

j
k
l
m
n

Don’t Know

26. Which of the following vocational services would have been the most helpful in
facilitating the injured worker’s return to employment?
Don't Know/Not

Extremely Helpful

Somewhat Helpful

Not Very Helpful

Not At All Helpful

Vocational evaluation

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Specialized ergonomic and

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Work hardening

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Transferrable Skills Analysis

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Detailed job analysis

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Referral for short term

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

job and home modification

Applicable

services
Transitional Job (Light
Duty) identification and
definition
Functional Capacities
Evaluation

training or refresher courses
Additional Comments

5
6

Page 12

Field Nurse Survey
8. Information Sharing
27. What information are you allowed to share with the employing agencies without a
specific written authorization from the employee?
(Please choose the description that is the most accurate):
j
k
l
m
n

Any material in the claim file

j
k
l
m
n

All nurse and rehabilitation counselor reports

j
k
l
m
n

Only information that does not contain medical evidence

j
k
l
m
n

All information necessary to assist in the return-to-work effort, including psychiatric tolerance limitations (but not full psychiatric reports)

j
k
l
m
n

All information necessary to assist in the return to work effort

j
k
l
m
n

I cannot give them any specific written material, but can discuss return to work with the agency

j
k
l
m
n

No information without a specific signed authorization from the employee

j
k
l
m
n

I am not sure

Page 13

Field Nurse Survey
9. Second Opinion (SECOP) Services
28. How often do you recommend a SECOP on a case?
j
k
l
m
n

Always

j
k
l
m
n

Frequently

j
k
l
m
n

About half the time

j
k
l
m
n

Sometimes

j
k
l
m
n

Never

j
k
l
m
n

Don't Know

29. On those cases with a SECOP, how often does the SECOP help move the case
forward toward recovery and return-to-work?
j
k
l
m
n

Always

j
k
l
m
n

Frequently

j
k
l
m
n

About half the time

j
k
l
m
n

Rarely

j
k
l
m
n

Never

j
k
l
m
n

Don't Know

Page 14

Field Nurse Survey
10. Demographics
30. Which OWCP district office do you work with most frequently?
j
k
l
m
n

Boston

j
k
l
m
n

Chicago

j
k
l
m
n

Cleveland

j
k
l
m
n

Dallas

j
k
l
m
n

Denver

j
k
l
m
n

Jacksonville

j
k
l
m
n

Kansas City

j
k
l
m
n

New York

j
k
l
m
n

Philadelphia

j
k
l
m
n

San Francisco

j
k
l
m
n

Seattle

j
k
l
m
n

Washington, D.C.

31. How long have you worked with OWCP:
Less than a year

1 to 3 years

3 to 5 years

5 to 10 years

More than 10 years

In your current role

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Overall

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Page 15