<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation:  The 3-step system: Triage, assessment and matched intervention > Psychosocial assessment of an individual’s barriers

Psychosocial assessment is conducted only for workers who have been triaged as needing additional evaluation. Unlike screening, which is a broad initial filter, assessment involves detailed clinical tools, structured interviews, and discussions with the worker.

Psychosocial assessment goes beyond the initial triage to explore the depth of issues affecting a person’s ability to recover and return to work. Psychosocial assessment requires a rich understanding of the field and effective communication skills.  Experienced and trained case managers may be capable of completing an assessment, though in general this is best undertaken by a trained health professional.  

As noted above, providing generic interventions based only on screening tools has not been successful. Instead, more specific, or targeted, interventions are recommended and these should be based on the psychosocial assessment. Overcoming psychosocial barriers requires a nuanced and fuller understanding of the particular barriers affecting the individual.

Depending on the assessment findings, the involvement of the workplace and other treatment providers is likely to be required.  For example, if the worker’s heightened anxiety about their injury is related to a perceived unsupportive workplace, this should be addressed and that will require input from the workplace.

For best results, psychosocial assessments should be conducted by trained professionals who employ a 2-pronged approach. They should be able to:

•administer additional self-report questionnaires to gather pertinent information, as deemed necessary

•follow up with an in-depth discussion about the results and any additional information provided by the worker.

This combination of objective data and personalised dialogue supports a sound initial understanding of the worker’s  psychosocial barriers to recovery. It also enhances the chances of the worker feeling they are being listened to and taken seriously.

The responses to self-report questionnaires also enable biopsychosocial counsellors to undertake more efficient initial interviews.