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 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...

New Zealand's Bronnie Thompson looks at the next steps back to work - looking broadly at the path forward.

contributorBronnie Thompson

Two cases demonstrate the importance of thinking about the big picture in return to work

RTW success sounds like this

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Have a look at this letter from an employee of one workplace doing fantastic things for injured...

SuperDoc (5) - On partnerships with doctors

contributorSuperDoc

Partnerships between doctors and the workplace are worth working on.

Employee engagement

contributorRTWMatters team

This month we focus on employee/ claimant engagement.

You say it best when you say nothing at all: Effective listening

contributorScott Sanderson

Have you ever been told you are a poor listener? Maybe you have, but you weren't paying...

Partner support

contributorElizabeth Quinn

This case study looks at how involving and supporting the partner of an injured worker assists...

Worksite wonders

contributorGabrielle Lis

Visiting injured workers at home and at work is an integral part of the Scenic Rim Regional...

Telecommuting and return to work

contributorTom Barton

The pros and cons of working from home when returning to work.

Vintage empathy

contributorAntonia George

Paul Amos uses his personal experience of injury to great effect when dealing with injured...

Want a RTW rate of 92%?

contributorAntonia George

How honesty, realism, a community-ethic and targeted splurging set one health and rehab...

Coaching for chronic health

contributorAntonia George

When a health insurer offers support after a potentially life-threatening diagnosis, Antonia...

Reducing cancer in the workplace

contributorTom Barton

Implementing primary prevention policies can reduce your workers' risk of developing cancer.

The costs of cancer

contributorTom Barton

Cancer is the most widespread chronic disease in Australia. We look at 10 tips for supporting...

Separating stress and chronic pain

contributorTom Barton

Stress makes chronic pain worse, and worsens RTW outcomes. Here are 10 ideas to help alleviate...

Signs of suicide

contributorTom Barton

How to look out for and deal with signs of suicide in your workplace.

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...

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.

Come on get happy!

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Want a better workplace? Get happier. Here are some pointers on how.

Want to be a back pain superhero?

contributorGabrielle Lis

This comprehensive guide to helping workers with back pain will have you donning lycra in no time...

Highway to hell?

contributorRosemary McKenzie-Ferguson and Gabrielle Lis

What's it like to enter the workers' comp system as an ill or injured worker?

Communicating with "The System"

contributorRosemary McKenzie-Ferguson and Gabrielle Lis

Workers struggle to listen and be heard. How does this affect them?

Trouble communicating? Stop talking: Listen!

contributorGabrielle Lis

A quick guide to the advantages and basic techniques of active listening.

To schmooze or not to schmooze?

contributorGabrielle Lis

There's no question about it, injured workers need special treatment. Employers, here are ten...

Q&A: The first five minutes

contributorGabrielle Lis

What happens in the first five minutes after injury affects health outcomes and costs. And your...

Let's get ethical, ethical

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

A code of ethics would have helped former return to work coordinator 'Layla' to educate injured...

KPI vs care - which is winning?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

A process-driven acrimonious workers' compensation system is a dark place - let's shed some...

How one company turned 13 workers' compensation claims into two

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Seventy work-sites to manage, different styles of management, a tough work culture,...

Complacency in return to work programs does not produce good outcomes

contributorSarah Duffield

An injured worker, with knee injuries and heart condition, is made redundant and has to deal...

The carpet-layer made good

contributorTheo Giantsos

'Chris' was a carpet layer who worked in a small suburban firm.

In body but not mind - presenteeism in the workplace

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Sometimes employees need return to work assistance even while they're still physically in the...