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 role of physiotherapy in certification of capacity for work — the Victorian experience

contributorLauren Finestone

We summarise a presentation by Paul Coburn at the Research to Real World for Compensable Injury...

A successful RTW pilot takes flight

contributorLauren Finestone

After a highly successful pilot program to help people get back to work, Comcare is offering the...

Speak to recover — the art of messaging in injury care (Part 3)

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Dr Mary Wyatt explores the effects of communication on work-related injuries. In the final part...

Workers’ compensation re-imagined from a lived experience perspective — Part 1

contributorLauren Finestone

What would a workers’ compensation scheme designed by people with lived experience of such...

A WISE adaptation of a success story — Australia Post’s Early Matched Care Program (Part 2)

contributorLauren Finestone

Melanie Ianssen, Head of Rehabilitation at Australia Post, describes how that organisation...

A WISE adaptation of a success story — Australia Post’s Early Matched Care Program (Part 1)

contributorLauren Finestone

Melanie Ianssen, Head of Rehabilitation at Australia Post, describes how that organisation...

Webinar recording — Every recovery needs a plan

contributorDr John McMahon

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

Webinar recording — Thrive at Work: Prevent harm through SMART work design

contributorSajani Fernando

Evidence-based strategies for organisations to support employees across the full spectrum of...

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...

Rehabilitation Counsellor: Role Profile

contributorDr Boris Fedoric

In this Q&A with Dr Boris Fedoric, we learn that rehabilitation counsellors put injured workers...

Emergency doctor who became a patient says symptoms should guide RTW

contributorGabrielle Lis

A symptoms-based approach is a smart and humane way to make return to work decisions,...

Our brains aren't computers, which matters for RTW

contributorGabrielle Lis

An individual's response to pain is unique to them and changes over time, so giving people the...

Webinar recording: Translating Sport Science Research into Practical Injury Management Programs

contributorScott Coleman

How an injured nurse, an elite athlete and wearable technology can help you reduce...

Working with cancer treatment

contributorGabrielle Lis

Remaining at work while receiving cancer treatment is increasingly common. Healthy work / cancer...

A new, national approach to RTW

contributorGabrielle Lis

Safe Work Australia's National Return to Work Strategy shows promise. Will they deliver on the...

Hungry to improve RTW?

contributorRTWMatters team

The researchers at the Insurance Work and Health Group at Monash University are offering a...

Webinar recording: A work-design focused Return to Work process

contributorMeredith Carr

Meredith Carr discusses how to effectively implement a work-design focused RTW process and the...

(Home) working it!

contributorGabrielle Lis

Accentuate the positives and eliminate the negatives of remote work, with this strategic guide...

Ten benefits of working from home

contributorGabrielle Lis

Whether you're a full time remote worker, recovering from injury or illness, or practising...

And now what?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

For ten years, national RTW rates have remained stagnant. Why? And what hope does Dr Wyatt see...

Supportive supervisors see more RTW

contributorGabrielle Lis

Australian data shows that supervisors who are seen to promote physical and psychological...

Webinar recording: Rebuilding life after brain injury

contributorSue Sloan

Approaches to supporting people to rebuild meaningful life role participation.

Lifestyle Factors and RTW: Drugs

contributorA. Richey

According to NDSHS data, workers are more likely to have used illicit drugs in the past 12...

Lifestyle Factors and RTW: Alcohol

contributorA. Richey

Alcohol and smoking are the most common legal drugs in use in Australia today.

Webinar recording: What works - Lessons from overseas

contributorRobert Aurbach

The most successful workers' compensation system in the world is one you haven't heard of.

Claims Process: the stress of making a claim

contributorA. Richey

When a worker is injured, there might be fears for their job stability, financial burdens, or...

Medical treatment: the importance of early access

contributorA. Richey

Delayed access to medical treatment means delayed recovery.

RTW cooperation is more effective than control

contributorA. Richey

Cooperation is vital in return to work. Whose buy-in is essential? How can you get it? And why...

Better Workplace Systems: how to implement them

contributorA. Richey

This article takes you through some effective ways of making sure that your workplace systems...

Template Injury Management Policy

contributorA. Richey

Are injury management policies a mystery to you? This template should help.

Injury Management: how to create your policy

contributorA. Richey

An injury management policy provides broad guidelines on the company’s approach to injury...

RTW Systems - How does your workplace stack-up?

contributorA. Richey

Developing effective workplace systems can be challenging. It can also be difficult to know if...

Case Study: Time to heal

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Mr L, a tall, solid-framed, right-handed 58 year old man, reported pain in his right elbow....

Case Study: It pays to do the right thing, even when dubious about a claim

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Michael was a 48-year-old machine operator. He had been at the workplace for nine months. During...

2015 RTW Matters Reader Survey: Feedback

contributorRTWMatters team

This survey article looks at how you use the RTW Matters website. What's useful? How do you use...

Case Study: Injured, but not at work. What to do?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Workers with injuries sustained away from work may be tempted to protect their financial...

2015 RTW Matters Reader Survey: what barriers are you facing?

contributorRTWMatters team

A huge thank you to everyone who responded to our reader survey. It helps us to understand some...

Case Study: Exploring other job options

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

This case study explores the importance of providing options for the injured worker's return to...

When you suspect an employee

contributorA. Richey

Joe Unreliable and Jane Dodge have lodged claims for workers' compensation. How should you...