Articles

This page lists all practical and feature articles available on RTWMatters. From top ten tips, how to guides and case studies, through to webinar recordings and video interviews with industry experts.

Click the ‘Topics’ button below to drill down into all articles and research updates on your topic of interest.

Click the ‘Quick Guides’ button for practical bit sized guides that give you a sound basic knowledge base.

The Principles underlying Return To Work

contributorRobert Hughes

One should not only consider 'principles' in establishing a quality RTW process. 'Attitudes' are...

I flew over the cuckoo's nest

contributorSuperDoc

Looking at what does and doesn't work in other systems might seem futile - but comparisons can...

Decision-making: a job for sharing

contributorSuperDoc

There's no such thing as too many chefs in the problem-solving kitchen. Share for improved RTW.

Does workers' compensation affect suicide rates?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

If you're in vocational rehab you should be concerned about lack of data on work injury-suicide...

Stress: the new RSI

contributorSuperDoc

SuperDoc applies lessons learnt about RSI in the 80s to the current "epidemic" of stress - and...

Are Docs Asking the Right Questions?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

To treat the patient we need to know the patient

Use the Force to manage stress

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Tips from the Safety Strategy Manager of Victoria Police for managing stress in a challenging...

The ABC of CBT: Part Three

contributorGabrielle Lis

In which we ask: Who would benefit from CBT? How can you broach the subject of therapy in the...

The ABC of CBT: Part Two

contributorGabrielle Lis

In which we - and injured worker Ms W - learn that when you change your behaviour, you also...

The ABC of CBT: Part One

contributorGabrielle Lis

In which we - and injured worker Ms W - learn that 'C' is for 'Cognitive,' and that thoughts...

Are we asking the right questions?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

There's more than meets the eye when it comes to patients at risk of poor return to work...

The economic costs of a heart attack

contributorKevin Jones

Heart attacks result in $A3.8 billion in lost productivity

RTW conflict Q & A

contributorRTWMatters team

Unresolved workplace conflict can prevent RTW, so RTW professionals need to know how to...

Believe and You Will Cope

contributorSuperDoc

'Self-efficacy' is more than just an odd-sounding word. Superdoc explains who needs...

The terrible two: UNDER-use and OVER-care

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Ever wondered why some musculoskeletal injuries don't resolve as quickly as they should?

Compensation: More painful than surgery?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

There is a correlation between compensation and poorer surgical outcomes. What can be done?

Don't keep doctors dancing in the dark

contributorSuperDoc

Assisting difficult RTW is even harder when the treating practitioner doesn't have all the...

Compensation or Rehabilitation? What impact does a word have?

contributorRobert Hughes

There was a Door to which I found no Key: There was a Veil through which I could not see: Some...

The Principles Underlying RTW - Draft 2

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Is it 'compensation' or 'rehabilitation'?

Why prevention is better than a cure.

contributorRobert Hughes

Wellness programs are being considered as a central strategy in US healthcare policy.

The Principles underlying RTW

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

The principles underlying successful RTW are universal, but we think their application differs...

Making the most of a referral for pain management

contributorBronnie Thompson

What does it mean and how to make the most of it.

What's work got to do...got to do with it?

contributorGabrielle Lis

Returning to work is even harder if the work itself feels meaningless. What makes a job meaningful?

Motivation - the juice, just gimme the juice.

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

The what, where and why of motivation, distilled to dot points.

How is exposure to trauma affecting you and your employees?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

There is a way of minimising the adverse effects trauma workers are exposed to - start by...

Things have gotta change: back pain and why our thinking is all wrong

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

When it comes to back pain, we don't have the right vocabulary - and we need it. The right words...

Case Study: Mild traumatic brain injury

contributorBronnie Thompson

Just over two years ago I was in a hurry. I'd been to a store and was returning home to...

Not working is bad for the heart and the head. There's proof.

contributorRobert Hughes

UK research evidence shows that risk of death for workless people is 20% higher.

All bad news or incentive to improve?

contributorGabrielle Lis

The financial crisis provides employers opportunity to support employees to better health - but...

Grrrrrrrr

contributorRobert Hughes

Who suffers when people dud the system?

Are you happy with your working relationships?

contributorRobert Hughes

Workers' Comp has a high staff turnaround, so a working relationship still great after 11 years...

Tired of workplace health wannabes?

contributorGabrielle Lis

Every workplace has health champions and health underdogs. Motivating the latter can be a real...

Fatigue is the biggest threat to a person's safety

contributorKevin Jones

A new perspective on an established hazard

An open letter to the Heads of Australian Workers' Compensation Authorities.

contributorRobert Hughes

How one woman changed Australian culture and why RTW can profit from her example.

The power of storytelling

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

The impact of 'patient narrative' - first-hand stories of illness and injury - shouldn't be...

Musculoskeletal hazards: Why ticking the box gets a red cross

contributorGabrielle Lis

Assessing risk isn't about ticks and crosses in a box. So why do Australian workplaces tend to...

Riding the see-saw of workers' comp costs

contributorGabrielle Lis

During recession, claim numbers go down but claim duration goes up. What happens to costs?