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.

Webinar recording — Every recovery needs a plan

contributorDr John McMahon

John McMahon, Director of Science at Navigator Group, discusses their Navigator Support Program...

New clinical care standard for low back pain — a story of hope

contributorLauren Finestone

The new Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard aims to make sure patients with this common...

Webinar recording — It pays to care: from policy to practice

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Dr Mary Wyatt introduces the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine's...

‘An epidemic of useless and often harmful care’ — Part 1

contributorLauren Finestone

Our standard pathway of care in injury management leads to low value care and...

RTW: from policy to practice. An imperative for change and call to action

contributorLauren Finestone

An important policy paper — It pays to care — calls for a conversation about, and action on, how...

Why some injured workers struggle and how to help

contributorDr Boris Fedoric

Rehabilitation counselling guru Dr Boris Fedoric explains why some workers struggle to get back...

Bad reassurance: "You’re fine! Don’t worry!"

contributorGabrielle Lis

Doctors and allied health professionals aiming to avoid over-treatment can actually make things...

Questioning the power of positivity

contributorGabrielle Lis

Do positive expectations about RTW bring results, or do good prospects make injured workers feel...

Webinar recording: The importance of social connection in RTW

contributorDr Caroline Howe

Associate Professor Caroline Howe explains what icare's research into social connection tells...

Identifying psychosocial risks and worker vulnerability

contributorRTWMatters team

Guidance from Safe Work Australia can help you clock the psychosocial risks in your workplace,...

Psychosocial pitfalls of "ordinary" injuries

contributorGabrielle Lis

We eavesdrop on a conversation (ok, polite but passionate debate) between RTW professionals with...

Workplace Incivility: where are your manners?

contributorA. Richey

Incivility is being rude, discourteous and showing a lack of regard for others. The behaviour...

Role Summary: Psychologist

contributorA. Richey

Psychology is the study of the mind and associated behaviours. A psychologist's focus may be on...

Case Study: Let the client help you help them

contributorStefanie Garber

Each client comes with their own unique history, personality and circumstances.

Injustice in return to work: part 2

contributorStefanie Garber

A sense of unfairness may lead to worse health outcomes for injured workers.

Injustice in return to work: part 1

contributorStefanie Garber

Workers' compensation systems can leave clients feeling betrayed. This sense of unfairness may...

Video: It's time to say good-bye to brain drain

contributorRobert Aurbach

Rob Aurbach talks about the neuroplasticity, and the impact of negative messages on pain and...

The power of learned optimism

contributorScott Sanderson

How 'learned optimism' can improve return to work outcomes: Breaking down Theo Feldbrugge's...

Video webinar: Improving Return to Work Motivation with Optimism

contributorTheo Feldbrugge

Theo Feldbrugge discusses the impact of optimism / pessimism on return to work.

Decision-making justice: Part two

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Another must read for claims / case managers: how you cannot afford to get it wrong, and how you...

Decision-making justice Part 1.

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

A good decision making process is worth its weight in platinum, making this a key read for...

Emotional resilience: 2

contributorTom Barton

This second of a two-part series investigates identifying pessimistic thinking in employees, and...

Emotional resilience: 1

contributorTom Barton

This first of a two-part series investigates the negative health and work effects of pessimism,...

Costs of 'job strain' related depression

contributorGabrielle Lis

What is job strain? How is it linked to depression? And what are the associated costs? New...

Flagging the obstacle course of bad outcomes

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

From the hot tubs of New Zealand to the bread and butter of a RTW Coordinator's work.

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...

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?

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...

Different states of whiplash

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Epidemiological studies show that whiplash rates vary enormously between jurisdictions. Why?

Are you having a laugh?

contributorScott Sanderson

The benefits of humour in the workplace.

Video presentation: Psychosocial ergonomics

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Job design includes the physical layout, AND how jobs fit the person's psyche. Deadlines,...

Frustrated by "victims"?

contributorGabrielle Lis and Dr Mary Wyatt

People who believe they've been treated unfairly have lower functional ability than those who...

Rehab Providers a mystery to you?

contributorGabrielle Lis

This Q&A for employers covers the Who, What, When and How of Rehabilitation Providers

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...

Fact sheet: PSYCHO WHAAT? PSYCHOSOCIAL!

contributorGabrielle Lis

The most common barriers to RTW are "psychosocial". Getting to know them makes it possible to...