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.

Spanner in the return to works

contributorGabrielle Lis

Are over-worked, inexperienced and uncompassionate insurer staff jeopardising RTW outcomes?

Y'all come back now, y'hear?

contributorMary Harris

Whether you're in OZ or the good ol' US of A, RTW is all about the love...

Good RTW processes: What's in it for ME?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Six reasons why getting return to work right is worth YOUR time and effort.

Durable RTW - was life meant to be this hard?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Why are the numbers of people making return to work more difficult increasing?

We are killing Joe

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Understanding how 'the system' can trip up the people it is supposed to help is the first thread...

What do you bring to work?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Not your roll or leftover pasta - but what attitude or outlook do you bring? Find out why it's a...

Functional Capacity Evaluations: the pitfalls.

contributorBronnie Thompson

Sometimes a person's capacities exceed their own sense of what they can safely do. What is the...

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...

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?