TREAT home > Return to work

Return to work

The sooner an injured worker returns to work, the better for all concerned. Studies have shown that a full recovery, both physically and emotionally, is more likely the sooner they are able to return to work in some capacity [1-3]. Return to work is therefore an important treatment goal for those involved in injury management. The role of WorkCover is to help support injured workers to make a full recovery, with an emphasis on returning to work and normal life.

Ensuring that an injured worker achieves a safe, durable and timely return to work requires that – in addition to providing appropriate clinical management – health providers should identify return to work barriers and work collaboratively with the injured worker, rehabilitation and return to work coordinators (and/or employer), workplace rehabilitation consultants and case managers to promptly address them.

References

  1. Hagen E, Grasdal, A., Eriksen, HR. Does early intervention with a light mobilization program reduce long-term sick leave for low back pain: A 3-year follow-up study. Spine 2003;28:2309-16.
  2. The Australasian Faculty of Occupational Medicine and The Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Compensable injuries and health outcomes. Sydney: Royal Australian College of Physicians; 2001.
  3. WorkSafe Victoria. Introducing WorkSafe: A guide for allied healthcare professionals. Melbourne; 2007.