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The WISE study methods have recently been replicated in another Australian study with injured workers. It was called the EMCAP (Early Matched Care Australia Post)) implementation study, conducted by Australia Post and guided by the lead author of the WISE study.[10] As with the WISE study, it demonstrated significant reductions in lost time from work and costs through the implementation of a psychosocial matched care system in work injury management. As in the WISE study, the outcomes of the EMCAP matched care were compared with similarly injured workers who received usual care from their workplace and health care providers. Specific findings from EMCAP to date include:

At 1-year post-claim:[11]

•the median total cost per claim for those at elevated risk was over 40% less in the intervention group compared to the control group ($7,814.38 vs $13,463.89, respectively)

•there was a 44% reduction in incapacity costs and a 17% reduction in healthcare costs in those in the high-risk intervention group versus the high-risk cases in the control group

•the proportion of claims exceeding 30 days off work decreased by 35% in the (high-risk) intervention group compared to the control group.

•All the targeted psychological risk factors, except for anxiety (which was low initially), improved significantly following the intervention by the psychologists (Ave: 5 sessions).

 

Table 2 summarises the additional results:

Table 2 - EMCAP vs control group percentage improvement in outcomes

 

These landmark Australian implementation studies show a strong financial incentive for employers and insurers. The cost-savings are further magnified when considering the indirect costs associated with work disability, which are estimated to be 3 times higher than direct costs.[12] These indirect costs include lost productivity, the expense of hiring and training temporary staff and the impact on morale among the remaining workforce.