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.

Do occ docs do it better?

contributorTom Barton

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

Doctor, doctor give 'em the news

contributorTom Barton

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

Eight RTW mantras to get you through

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

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

Suspicious about a claim at your small business?

contributorGabrielle Lis

There are three golden rules for small business owners who doubt the work-relatedness of an...

Juggling RTW and performance issues?

contributorGabrielle Lis

These practical industry insights will save you from having to grow an extra pair of arms...

Why base rehab in the workplace?

contributorGabrielle Lis

If you're having trouble convincing injured or ill workers that early return to work is the best...

Let's get ethical, ethical

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

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

Backing up case management with software

contributorPaul Eastman

Intuition Software's Paul Eastman gets technical, explaining the ins and outs of an underused...

Top ten tips for super smooth supervising of RTW

contributorGabrielle Lis

Supervising return to work ain't easy...unless you've read our latest top ten!

How to be a trauma-ready employer

contributorGabrielle Lis

We talk trauma, recovery in the workplace and PTSD with Professor Mark Creamer from the...

Finding the middle ground

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Occupational therapist Kate Roylance was very surprised that many of you responded that...

Is work good for you? Professor Kim Burton explains the UK's changing answer

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

In this interview with UK expert we learn that modern vocational rehabilitation is not about...

Our top ten tips to improve RTW outcomes

contributorCheryl Griffiths

A back to the basics look at getting it right from the beginning

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,...

What is vocational rehabilitation?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Let's go back a few steps now, and take a look at how we can define the concept.

A flag is a flag is a flag

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Everyday words can take on different meanings when used by medical practitioners, but to what...

Good RTW calls for a unified and holistic approach

contributorSarah Duffield

Hear from two return to work and rehabilitation experts with tips to help the rehab and RTW...

Returning to work after depression

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

RTW Matters speak with Clare Shann from beyondblue, the national depression initiative, about...

Motivation - Part Four

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Improving motivation is up to the employee and employer.

Catastrophic injuries

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

What are 'catastrophic injuries'? Why it is important to manage them well in the workplace, and...

Working with quadriplegia ONE: what motivates return to employment

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

What helped Mario return to work after a car accident left him with quadriplegia?

The importance of early return to productive and full time duties

contributorSarah Duffield

A worker has several months off work after experiencing acute back pain. Her eventual return to...

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...

Rehabilitation of cancer patients - addressing a lack

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Why is it then that cancer survivors have less access to help with rehabilitation post-treatment?

Robert Hughes

contributorErmine Despicio

Yes... but let's have a bit of fun while we're doing it.

Getting back to work: an interview with John Stubbs.

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Interview with Cancer Voices Australia executive director and cancer survivor John Stubbs.

Employers can sort out liability issues simply by seeking sensible medical advice

contributorSarah Duffield

An admin officer developed acute back pain after several weeks of 'niggling' soreness....

Positive (pirate) working culture

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Workers' compensation and return to work plans have a longer history than you might think.

Towards a better workplace

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Opening up lines of communication is essential in the return to work process.