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.

Dame leads way on health and work

contributorTom Barton

Professor Dame Carol Black presents "Working for a healthier tomorrow" report to World Congress...

What does research say about Early Intervention?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

In response to a subscriber's question, we find that the early bird gets results.

Mind over matter?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Injury-attitude impacts RTW more than injury-severity, says Monash researcher. Ask questions and...

Better off without comp?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

It's time to question whether some workers should be spared the compensation process.

Workplace stress: we can work it out

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Causes of stress, and why it will never disappear if we don't encourage the right behaviours.

Sophie's choices (a case study)

contributorPam Garton, Abilita Services

A rehab provider who addresses the human impact of injury restarts stalled RTW for a...

Family, colleagues great support after bad car crash

contributorHeather Millar, writer, WorkCover

After being badly injured in a car crash, family and colleagues rallied around to help Peter...

Supervisors up to scratch?

contributorSuperDoc

If we can train good superheros (ahem - take yours truly for example) then surely we can train...

Other people's stress

contributorSuperDoc

Are stress management programs for managers the key to reducing stress claim costs?

System satisfaction?

contributorGabrielle Lis

Satisfaction with the claims process affects the long term financial, social and health outcomes...

Court between a rock and a hard place

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Some regard the courts as a necessary evil in injury compensation; but how can they be used to...

Looking for a late new year's resolution?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Forget vowing to give up chocolate, how about resolving to better look after employees in the...

Bullying and harassment

contributorGreg Barton, Director, Insight Services Group

Workplace bullies are often workplace big fish. Combating the problem requires a top down approach.

Spooked by chronic pain?

contributorSuperDoc

SuperDoc talks you through celebrity gossip 101 - and unsheets the spooks of chronic pain

Down the rabbit hole...

contributorSuperDoc

In which SuperDoc describes perplexing cases of ordinary and extraordinary patients falling down...

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?