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.

Opioids: Q & A

contributorGabrielle Lis

Are opioids a safe and effective treatment for acute pain? How about chronic pain? What are the...

"W_T_F is workers' comp?!" Part 2

contributorTom Barton

Small Business series Part 2: The nuts and bolts.

8 tips for a great relationship - working with the claims manager

contributorTom Barton

We respond to a Return to Work Coordinator's query about resolving problems between employers...

Not a Good Week?

contributorFayth Carrell

Dispatch from the desk of a RTW Coordinator, tackling re-injury and a nasty case of badweekitis.

Dealing with the victim mentality

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

In response to a reader's questions, our resident Occ Phys explains how to encourage a proactive...

What is process related injury?

contributorGabrielle Lis

Sometimes compensation systems, not injury, deliver the knock out blow. Don't let that happen to...

Are workplace activities harmful?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Despite growing perceptions that workplace activities cause and complicate injuries, the...

Invisible injury

contributorGabrielle Lis

When it comes to "invisible injury", what you CAN'T see CAN hurt you--and your RTW prospects....

Employees not coping with pain

contributorTom Barton

Understanding how distress interferes with recovery is the key to addressing difficult RTW cases.

Do occ docs do it better?

contributorTom Barton

If patients who see an occupational doctor get better results, why isn't it common practice?

Employers' ten RTW commandments

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Simple, straightforward guidelines for ensuring injured employees have access to all their legal...

Common causes of workplace pain

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Understanding musculoskeletal pain will increase productivity and health.

Doctor, doctor give 'em the news

contributorTom Barton

We consider why doctors fail to communicate well about return to work, and offer strategies for...

Discrimination, harassment and RTW

contributorGabrielle Lis

How can employers avoid real (or perceived) discrimination and harassment during the RTW process?

More than medical

contributorGabrielle Lis

Some people have a harder time managing their injury and returning to work than others. Are...

Quick guide: Avoiding litigation

contributorGabrielle Lis

Don't send yourself--or your worker--to the dogs! Fair in-house systems can keep claims out of...

Train for success

contributorSuperDoc

Workers expect more from supervisors than supervisors are prepared to give - but training can...

Strategic implementation Q&A

contributorGabrielle Lis

How to take the long view and get where you want to go, faster.

Health and productivity in smaller workplaces

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

You can't afford hit and miss. What works, what doesn't and how can you market tried and true...

Just how painful is injury reporting?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Knowing when injury reports should be made and how they should be dealt with can reduce the pain...

Recovery from spinal surgery

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Spine surgeons who've had spinal surgery provide the know-how for this briefing paper on...

RTW Coordinators: be true to yourselves!

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Figuring out whether you're a team player or a solo flier, a nurturer or a strategist can make...

What's with 'That Department'?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Want something done at work? It helps to know what and who you're working with. Start by asking...

How to win change and influence people

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

A change is as good as a holiday, right? Time to implement change where it's needed.

Three attitudes that WON'T help return to work

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Not yet a RTW pro? A tip: avoid these three attitudes when dealing with an injured worker.

Quick Guide: Self efficacy

contributorGabrielle Lis

Not every injured or ill worker has the "I think I can" attitude of the Little Engine That...

A quick guide to managing cases

contributorGabrielle Lis

The who, what, where, when of RTW case management

Disability management pegged: Part 3

contributorGabrielle Lis

Iron out problems by taking action

Disability management pegged: Part 2

contributorGabrielle Lis

Identify "dirty" laundry and take it to the cleaners

Disability management pegged: Part 1

contributorGabrielle Lis

You don't have to hang anybody out to dry to get your systems pegged. Instead, make plans and...

Shouldering on

contributorGabrielle Lis

A fact sheet about shoulder pain, including workplace contributions and solutions

Top ten ways to reduce sick leave

contributorGabrielle Lis

Keep workers and reduce sick leave with a dose of sick leave sugar (and a dash of lemon!)

Eight RTW mantras to get you through

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Hand-selected return to work mantras to help your RTW experience run more smoothly.

Tennis elbow fact sheet

contributorGabrielle Lis

A down-the-line serve about work and tennis elbow, including good news about recovery and...

Resolving long-term claims

contributorGabrielle Lis

We profile a success story in identifying and dismantling non-medical barriers to RTW at Concord...

Signs of employee disengagement

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Advice on how to bite the signs of disengagement - before they bite you

Fact sheet: Medical certification in Australia

contributorGabrielle Lis

Sickness certificates can be dangerous. Proceed with caution!

How YOU can take charge of RTW

contributorGabrielle Lis

A fact sheet for injured workers.