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: The role of the medical certificate in identifying and managing RTW barriers

contributorHarry Papagoras

Physiotherapist Harry Papagoras discusses how medical certificates can be used to identify...

Most Victorian GPs not recommending RTW: study

contributorRTWMatters team

A study shows that Victorian GPs are unlikely to recommend alternate duties for injured workers.

Broken people from broken systems

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

For many injured workers, the greatest challenge is not the extent of their injuries but the...

Turning a dead-end into a new start

contributorStefanie Garber

An individualised, flexible re-training program aimed at giving people confidence may be key to...

When disaster strikes

contributorStefanie Garber

The support offered to a worker with catastrophic injuries can be vital to the person's...

Work and shoulder problems

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

The connection between work and shoulder problems

Are you a Manager, a Leader or both?

contributorLori Boys

We should no longer manage, we should lead...how many times have you heard that?

Putting a price on trust

contributorStefanie Garber

Building social capital costs little but the potential benefits are priceless.

Katherine Lippel: talks workers' compensation systems

contributorScott Sanderson

Professor Katherine Lippel presents: Workers' compensation design: how rules and practices may...

Developing a successful rehabilitation program: case study

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Interview with Garry Pearce, Director of Rehabilitation for the Tasmanian Department of Health.

The Balancing Act

contributorTom Barton

We speak to rehab provider Donna Valiant about managing everybody's needs, expectations and...

Returning to hard work

contributorMary Harris

Genius, they say, is 1% inspiration, and 99% perspiration. This case study looks at how four...

Impatient with patients on modified duties

contributorMary Harris

After foot surgery, rehab professional Mary Harris gains first hand insight into how co-workers...

The OT way

contributorGabrielle Lis

What do gardening, work and dancing have in common? According to Occupational Therapist Sven...

Who's the boss?

contributorGabrielle Lis

The health and wellbeing of people with chronic illness improves when they become...

SPICE up your injury management

contributorDr Mary Wyatt and Tom Barton

The SPICE treatment method is simple and proven since WWI.

SuperDoc (6) - Issues around causation

contributorSuperDoc

A look at the issues surrounding work causation ... and the funny questions people ask superheros.

SuperDoc (3) - On the importance of listening - and saying no.

contributorSuperDoc

Super Doc gives a super-spiel about the importance of listening - and saying no

SuperDoc (2) - On medical certificates & common sense

contributorSuperDoc

On medical certificates, flexibility and common sense

Social capital: is it what we're missing?

contributorStefanie Garber

The Return to Work Monitor paints a worrying picture: despite increased funding, resources and...

Kicking goals

contributorStefanie Garber

Goal setting is a vital tool in the return to work process, but using it effectively can pose a...

Building your RTW toolkit

contributorTom Barton

Joanne Taranto explains how a RTW toolkit will expand your resources and get better results.

Getting RTW buy-in

contributorTom Barton

Seasoned return to work professional Joanne Taranto explains the basis of a great RTW program.

Workplace policies and return to work

contributorScott Sanderson

We look at how organisational policies and practices can have a big impact on RTW outcomes.

Are you having a laugh?

contributorScott Sanderson

The benefits of humour in the workplace.

Surgery support

contributorDr Mary Wyatt and Tom Barton

Make a big difference by assisting employees who've decided on surgery

Active listening eTool

contributorScott Sanderson and Gabrielle Lis

Don't just hear the words, listen to them. These five steps to becoming an active listener will...

Attitudes can be the biggest disabilities

contributorMary Harris

When it comes to returning people back to work, it's not just important to discuss the RTW...

"How do I find meaningful alternate duties?"

contributorTom Barton

We respond to a common RTW Coordinator question.

Worksite wonders

contributorGabrielle Lis

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

Ten RRTWC pearlers

contributorRRTWCs of Queensland

Q-Comp was so impressed by the collective wisdom of QLD RRTWCs, they compiled a list of tips to...

Profession profile: Occupational Therapists

contributorGabrielle Lis

If your injury management program isn't bridging the gap between the workplace and the doctor's...

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...

Trust: Dos and Don'ts

contributorGabrielle Lis

You know organisational trust has tangible benefits. Now for the hard yards: how can you foster...

"W_T_F is workers' comp?!" Part 4

contributorTom Barton

Part 4 - Return to work, return to normal

Case study: Changing gears

contributorHeather Millar, writer, WorkCover

Motorcycle mechanic Craig can't wait to get back to work after breaking his femur and heel. Is...

"W_T_F is workers' comp?!" Part 3

contributorTom Barton

Small Business series - Attitudes and People handling.

"W_T_F is workers' comp?!" Part 2

contributorTom Barton

Small Business series Part 2: The nuts and bolts.