Flags are risk factors that might prevent a sick or injured person from improving their function or participating in activities at home, at work or in the community. Flags consider bio-psycho-social factors.
Early identification and management of these risk factors helps minimise long-term disability and chronicity.
The flags
Red flags - biological factors
Serious pathology
Failure of treatment
Treatment has significant side effects or adverse effects
Orange flags - mental health
Primary or secondary mental health disorders
Personality disorders
Yellow flags - psychological factors
Unhelpful or counterproductive beliefs about the injury or illness
All pain is harmful
Medical treatment (rather than active participation and activity) will help
Passive role in treatment and recovery
Poor coping strategies
Approach to quality of life that values minimising symptom at the expense of desired activity and participation
Blue flags - social factors
Poor social support
Dislikes work*
Dislikes or distrusts the employer*
Excessive work demands*
Language and communication problems (e.g. non-English speaking)
Sense of injustice
Family or relationship problems
* Although these are particularly relevant to work injuries, they can also affect the progress of non-work-related conditions.