Articles

Rehabilitation professionals

Motivation: Part one

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

The first instalment in a six-part series of articles on Motivation in rehabilitation.

Dr Hari Dhir on doctor-patient communication (part 2)

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

The second half of Dr Dhir's doctor-patient communication insights.

Motivation: Part Two

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

The six-part series continues. This time we look at the effect of a positive attitude towards rehab.

Motivation: Part Three

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Trying to define motivation can be tricky, but let's give it a go.

Motivation - Part Four

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Improving motivation is up to the employee and employer.

Motivation - Part Five

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

A look at self-efficacy and how it can be maximised in patients.

Motivation - Part Six

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Are you motivated to succeed or to avoid failure?

Motivation - Part Seven (a)

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

The penultimate article in the 'Motivation Series' looks at Motivational Interviewing and the...

Conflict Cookie #3: Managing conflict

contributorGabrielle Lis

It's a waste to sweep cookie crumbs under the carpet, and the same goes for conflict. Don't...

What do RTW Professionals need to know about CBT?

contributorGabrielle Lis

The basics of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and how it can be used to resolve difficult RTW cases.

Motivational mojo medicine

contributorGabrielle Lis

RTW motivation can be hard to muster...Unless you've had your dose of the RTWMatters...

Juggling RTW and performance issues?

contributorGabrielle Lis

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

Anxiety Q&A Part 2: The costs

contributorGabrielle Lis

In part two of this three part series, we look at the personal, economic and work-related costs...

Anxiety Q&A 3: Working with anxiety

contributorGabrielle Lis

This final instalment provides tips for helping anxious employees maintain their cool and remain...

How YOU can take charge of RTW

contributorGabrielle Lis

A fact sheet for injured workers.

Quick Guide: Self efficacy

contributorGabrielle Lis

Not every injured or ill worker has the "I think I can" attitude of the Little Engine That...

What's with 'That Department'?

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Want something done at work? It helps to know what and who you're working with. Start by asking...

Recovery from spinal surgery

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Spine surgeons who've had spinal surgery provide the know-how for this briefing paper on...

More than medical

contributorGabrielle Lis

Some people have a harder time managing their injury and returning to work than others. Are...

Common causes of workplace pain

contributorAnna Kelsey-Sugg

Understanding musculoskeletal pain will increase productivity and health.

Separating stress and chronic pain

contributorTom Barton

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

Styles of communication

contributorGabrielle Lis

Passive. Aggressive. Assertive. How does your professional communication style affect your...

Asking assertively

contributorGabrielle Lis

Know what you want from people at work, but not how to get it? Learn how to talk the talk, and...

Teaching WorkCover claimants to sell themselves

contributorElizabeth Quinn

In pain, low in confidence, and down at heart: it can be a hard slog to get back into the...

Frustrated by "victims"?

contributorGabrielle Lis and Dr Mary Wyatt

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

Webinar: Back Pain and Return to Work

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Back pain accounts for a large proportion of injury claims, and a higher proportion of long term...

White collar, blue collar

contributorGabrielle Lis

Are you a RTW professional daunted by the prospect of working with a predominantly blue collar...

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...

Surgery support

contributorDr Mary Wyatt and Tom Barton

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

Discussing surgery

contributorDr Mary Wyatt and Tom Barton

Help workers understand the options and outcomes

8 steps for tackling long-term cases - Part 1

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Picking up a long-term case for the first time can seem daunting. Here are a series of steps to...

8 steps for tackling long-term cases - Part 2

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Picking up a long-term case for the first time can seem daunting. Here are a series of steps to...

Kicking goals

contributorStefanie Garber

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

Patient styles, distress, and what they get

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

How patients communicate has an important influence on the treatment they receive.

Making the most of a referral for pain management

contributorBronnie Thompson

What does it mean and how to make the most of it.

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...

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 Three

contributorGabrielle Lis

In which we ask: Who would benefit from CBT? How can you broach the subject of therapy in the...

We are killing Joe

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Understanding how 'the system' can trip up the people it is supposed to help is the first thread...

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...

Back to the past

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Back pain flare-ups are a normal part of recovery.

Stress and emotional resilience

contributorGabrielle Lis and Tom Barton

Ever wondered what RTW and sabre-toothed tigers have in common? Or why some people bounce back...

The Balancing Act

contributorTom Barton

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

Decisions about surgery: The rock and the hard place

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Successful surgery starts with the best decision about whether surgery should be performed.

Recorded Webinar: Managing Psychological Claims in the Workplace

contributorKaye Frankcom

Psychological or mental health claims are a fast growing liability for most compensation...

Recorded Webinar: Communicating with Doctors - GPs and Specialists

contributorDr Phillip Meyerkort

This webinar explores how RTW Coordinators and Claims Managers can communicate effectively with...

Do me a favour, fix return to work

contributorDr Mary Wyatt and Stefanie Garber

People respond to positive acts with positive deeds of their own. Increased positive experiences...

Guidelines on shoulder rotator cuff problems

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Flow charts detailing shoulder pain treatment

Case Study: Let the client help you help them

contributorStefanie Garber

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

Using telephonic case management for assessment and triage

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Telephonic methods can be used to assess the clinical and work participation needs of people...

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...

Recorded Webinar: Physiotherapy - how to get the best

contributorPaul Coburn

Occupational physiotherapy expert Paul Coburn explains the principles of good physiotherapy and...

Webinar Recording: Living in parallel universes.

contributorDr Darren Beales

Physiotherapists and claims manager's beliefs about treatment for injured workers.

Influence: Steps to instantly connect with the claimant

contributorCarolyn Mounce

Building immediate rapport in return to work can turn adversary into ally.

Psychological claims: Part 1

contributorRobert Aurbach

Are you standing in your own way?

Psychological claims: Part 3

contributorRobert Aurbach

The history is not just a formality

Psychological claims: Part 4

contributorRobert Aurbach

Getting ready for psychological claims - change the story

Webinar Recording: Adjusting to change

contributorKaren Stevens

Adjusting to change is difficult for all of us, but it can be particularly difficult after a...

Making the most of a referral for pain management

contributorBronnie Thompson

What does it mean and how to make the most of it.

Webinar Recording: How PAIN can be the key to successful RTW

contributorPam Garton, Abilita Services

This webinar discusses how gains can be made by understanding the complexity of factors that...

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...

Rehab Providers: how they can influence managers

contributorA. Richey

Rehabilitation providers interact with many of the key people in return to work. Arguably, the...

Webinar Recording: The nuts and bolts of work oriented treatment

contributorDr Chris Stevens

Gain an understanding of the practical aspects of Work Oriented Treatment for workers...

Prehabilitation: improving the results of surgery

contributorA. Richey

Prehabilitation is an approach to aid people recover from surgery and increase the likelihood of...

Webinar recording: Physiotherapists and return to work

contributorRoss Iles & Paul Coburn

This panel discussion explores physiotherapy strategic approaches to improve return to work and...

Webinar recording: Life Insurance - What to do when you don't have a big stick - Make carrot soup.

contributorMLC Life Insurance

Meredith Taylor, Trina Moyes and Josh Agar from MLC Life Insurance discuss innovative ways to...

Psychosocial pitfalls of "ordinary" injuries

contributorGabrielle Lis

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

Webinar recording: Supervisors and co-workers, vital but often overlooked links in RTW

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

This webinar explores evidence on how supervisors and coworkers can influence RTW, and how to...

Webinar recording: Work-related psychological health and safety matters.

contributorPeta Miller

Meeting your duties under the work health and safety laws.

Rotator cuff troubles - video presentation

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Shoulder problems are the second most common work-related musculoskeletal problem. Here's an...

Bridging the generation and gender gap

contributorSarah Duffield

Young female rehabilitation consultant + middle aged male worker: the most fraught relationship...

Anxiety Q&A Part 1: The basics

contributorGabrielle Lis

Understanding anxious employees is the first step in helping them maintain their cool and remain...

Functional Capacity Evaluations: the pitfalls.

contributorBronnie Thompson

Sometimes a person's capacities exceed their own sense of what they can safely do. What is the...

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...

Want better answers? Ask better questions

contributorCarolyn Mounce

Well-chosen questions can give injured workers - and frustrated RTW professionals - renewed...

RTW conflict Q & A

contributorRTWMatters team

Unresolved workplace conflict can prevent RTW, so RTW professionals need to know how to...

Influence: Stop talking! Four keys to listening

contributorCarolyn Mounce

To be heard is a powerful experience, and for your claimant it will make them feel safer, more...

Sunny side up

contributorRTWMatters team

What is optimism? How is it good for health? When is it wise, in professional life, to get your...

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...

The terrible two: UNDER-use and OVER-care

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Ever wondered why some musculoskeletal injuries don't resolve as quickly as they should?

Top ten tips for dealing with the Doc

contributorGabrielle Lis and Dr Mary Wyatt

Is "bad medicine" delaying RTW at your organisation? This top ten will help sweeten your...

Toxic Doctors

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

What do you do with a toxic doctor?

Doctor-patient communication: when it's good, everyone benefits (Part 1)

contributorNews Hound

The first half of RTW Matter's interview with Dr Hari Dhir.

Workplace solutions for worried claimants

contributorGabrielle Lis

What do workers who lodge a claim for psychological injury worry about? And how can the...

Ten tips for communicating with doctors

contributorTom Barton

Dr Robyn Horsley gives us ten tips for great communication with the treating doctor.

Putting a price on trust

contributorStefanie Garber

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

Trouble communicating? Stop talking: Listen!

contributorGabrielle Lis

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

Webinar Recording: Optimising outcomes for workers with back pain through enhanced self-management and collaboration

contributorDr Jon Ford

Listen to musculoskeletal physiotherapist, Dr. Jon Ford, talk about how practitioners can help...

Comparing the data: physical and psychological claims

contributorGabrielle Lis

Dr Wyatt dug into the data on the outcomes and experiences of Australian workers who lodge...

Cartilage tears

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Knee cartilage tears explained