Research Updates

Joy Hewitt

Articles by ‘Joy Hewitt’
Predictors of poor outcomes in patients with musculoskeletal pain

Generic prognostic factors may assist primary care practitioners to identify those patients with musculoskeletal pain who are at risk of poor outcomes, regardless of the site of their pain.

Off the clock and on the ball

This follow-up study examined the relationship between the after-hours physical activity of workers and their absences from work due to sick leave.

A caring doctor is an important predictor of the success of return to work programs

Return to work programs are more likely to have positive outcomes if participants have a stable relationship with a doctor who is attentive and empathetic, and provide good information about ...

What helps RTW for people with chronic pain?

Surveys can help identify factors that will improve RTW.

Disability management interventions provide economic and health outcome benefits

There is solid research evidence that return to work management programs improve the 'bottom line'.

Look after others, and look after yourself!

A self-evaluation tool is described which may assist healthcare professionals to develop self-resilience and equip them to identify, prioritise and achieve personal and professional goals.

Hospitable RTW

Employer reactions can determine RTW outcomes: making workers welcome matters

The great unknown: risk factors for co-existing chronic pain syndromes

The current understanding of the occurrence of multiple regional chronic pain syndromes is discussed and concludes more research is needed.

Seeking compensation for major trauma after accidental injury - more stress than its worth??

A clinical study has identified that the development and persistence of post-traumatic stress disorder following major trauma is not related to injury severity, but may be associated with factors...

A tool to measure motivation

The Model of Creative Ability may be a useful tool in return-to-work programs to assess and measure motivation.

Competencies required for effective return-to-work coordination

A recent review of the literature has identified the core competencies that are important for effective return-to-work coordination.

When to take extended sick leave. A complex decision for workers with spine-related pain

This study identified a range of factors that influence when workers with neck and low-back (spine-related) pain take extended sick leave.

The super-view of super-RTW

What do supervisors think about multidisciplinary vocational rehabilitation programs?

Powerful partnerships

The evidence is in: when employers join workers on the RTW journey, the sky's the limit!

I'll need a sick leave certificate too, doc...

What prevents doctors from applying best clinical practice when issuing certificates for sick leave?

Learn to return

A number of simple initiatives can have a positive impact on timely return to work and decrease costs.

Why me? Predicting neck pain

Certain factors put people at risk of recurrent neck pain. What predicts recovery? This study examines the evidence.

Employee input into improving their work environment: just the prescription for treating sick leave absences

An 'organisational rehabilitation' program that identified and addressed employees' concerns with their work environment resulted in a substantial reduction in sick leave absences and the...

Workplace injuries, absenteeism and turnover among nurses are influenced by role stresses

Workplace intervention programs to reduce injuries, absenteeism and turnover among nurses should be designed to address the key factors of role ambiguity and role conflict, and improve workplace...

Return-to-work coordinators: who are they and what do they do?

A detailed review of the tasks and role of coordinators