Podcast Transcript of John Ruser – Straight Outta Workers' Comp – Page 2

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Dr. John Ruser (22:25):

But I think maybe two factors, one is that certain groups of workers were essential workers and they, and they were more likely to be minorities. And so they were going to be affected by COVID more but also just health disparities in the general health system that, that led certain groups to just simply not be as healthy and to not have as much access to healthcare. And that'll also had an impact.

Bob Wilson (22:50):

Yeah. Yeah. And, and certainly, and even like lifestyle, you have immigrants, a lot of immigrants working in the meat packing industry and the meat packing industry got hit very hard, but I was just pointed out. A lot of them lived in the same tight living conditions, as well as worked in tight working conditions. So it's, it's, you know, a recipe for disaster in that respect. So that's interesting. That's interesting. Well, it sounds like you had a great conference as you, as you always do. Now, a few years ago, you had a conference in Phoenix and the turnout was tremendous. And I understand next year, your conference is going to be in Phoenix. I know you're still setting the, the parameters of what that will be and look like, but can you give us an idea of when you expect that's going to be and, and any, any glimpse of what you might be looking to study?

Dr. John Ruser (23:39):

So in terms of the timing it will be probably in the latter half of March, we're still working on fine tuning the dates for the conference, but second half of March, most likely, and yes, indeed, it's going to be in Phoenix. So people who have complained about the the w C I conference being in Boston in the wintertime, don't have to complain about that this time. So we, we are certainly anticipating a tremendous turnout at, at the conference.

Bob Wilson (24:09):

So people wait a minute, people complain about Boston in the wintertime. I'm shocked

Dr. John Ruser (24:14):

Who would do that? You know, the funny thing is actually we had lovely weather two weeks ago, Bob, when we had our, our conference. And we ended on St. Patrick's day. So it was a, it was a fine, fine day to, to finish.

Bob Wilson (24:25):

Oh, that's perfect. Well, you know, that is the trouble is, is the, the March in Boston could be unpredictable. Cause I have been up there a couple times when it was beautiful. And I remember one particular winter where I think you guys had just had a tremendous amount of snow. That's probably one of your first winters up there. In fact, you might have, if I recall you might have been snowed out of your own event.

Dr. John Ruser (24:45):

I didn't make it. Yeah. I didn't make it ironically, because of snow. Yeah.

Bob Wilson (24:50):

That was your first, I think your first year, I think if I recall, or you were incoming,

Dr. John Ruser (24:54):

I was in DC. I hadn't started at w C R I yet. That's right. But I, I was in DC. I was supposed to come up to the conference and didn't make it, so

Bob Wilson (25:01):

Yeah, well, well, I'm glad that things seemed to have worked out despite the lack of a, of introduction that year. So it seems you guys have been really doing, I think a lot of great work and it's needed because there aren't a lot of organizations, as you know, that are really doing any deep dives into some of the issues that affect our industry. So I think we all appreciate the fact that you do it. And I think that's what makes your conference so popular. In fact, you had 368 people registered. That's great. Considering there are still some people out there concerned about traveling. I,

Dr. John Ruser (25:32):

I, yeah, you're right. No, it was great. I mean, I, it was exceeded our expectations

Bob Wilson (25:37):

For sure. That's excellent. That's good. That's good. Well, I think it's a we're all very anxious for life to return to normal and recognize that some things we're just gonna have to probably be living and facing as, as we move on. And it's good. Any, any final comments or, or anything? I, I normally ask people just to, at the end to give some conjecture about where they think the industry's headed, but I, I realize you guys in the research business are very reluctant to opine for lack of a better word where there's no of data to support support your, your, your opinion. Yeah, but any, any final,

Dr. John Ruser (26:15):

You nailed that. Exactly. we're, we're happy to opine when we have data, but when there are no good data, it's, it's hard to opine. But, but I will, I will mention though that we have heard from stakeholders that they'd like us to it to be looking towards towards the future about trends and things. And there are ways to do that, that we're going to explore for some of our future work in terms of using sort of historical data and, and moving them forward. So so, so I'm hoping that even though we won't be prognosticating in the blind, we will be able to at least provide some view of the future.

Bob Wilson (26:52):

Well, see, what you need to do is you just need to start writing a blog and open a podcast, and you could just progno prognosticate in the blind. Is that was your phrase. I love that by the way, cuz that's a, what I do like every single day, doesn't matter if I'm right. Of course you have a reputation to be concerned about. Mine has long since, you know, you vanished probably. But that's super,

Dr. John Ruser (27:13):

I was motivated by your blind squirrel reference earlier, Bob.

Bob Wilson (27:16):

Oh, were you, were you okay? Well, I glad I'm complimented that. You could be inspired by something like that, so appreciate it. Okay. And well, any, anything else?

Dr. John Ruser (27:27):

Well Bob, I would hope that the folks who are listening to this podcast would keep an eye out for some of our studies that are coming out. We have a, a number some of them that we presented preliminary work from at our conference, such as the provider consolidation study chiropractic study drug formularies. We also have some other work on telemedicine patterns. We're gonna show the, the the patterns of telemedicine use during the pandemic a drug drug trends report, and then further down the road more work on consolidation of care, particularly looking referral patterns and treatment patterns. So a lot of work coming out of w C I in the next few

Bob Wilson (28:09):

Months. Well, that's super, well, it sounds like it'll be a lot of good information and you'll have plenty to talk about next year in Phoenix. And sounds like you've, you guys have a enough to keep your, your plate full for some time. Well, thank you for joining us a Dr. John Russer president and CEO of the work compensation research Institute. We appreciate your time and, and taking the effort, the few moments to tell us a little bit about what you just covered and a little bit more about what you're going to be looking into. So, John, thank you for joining us today.

Dr. John Ruser (28:39):

Thank you very much, Bob. All right.

Bob Wilson (28:41):

And for everybody listening, we certainly appreciate your time. This has been straight up outta worker's comp. We'll see you next time until then keep your workplace safe. Thanks for joining us today.

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