This page lists all research updates available on Return to Work Matters.
Research is chosen for review based on quality of the evidence and its practical value in return to work.
Requests to undertake reviews of research on particular subjects are welcome.
Click the ‘Topics’ button below to drill down into all articles and research updates on your topic of interest.
Using anonymous data in workplace risk assessments, taking the results seriously and having a...
Bullying increases the risk of workers getting sick and taking time off from work, both in the...
A recent study reveals that when it comes to workplace hazards, work, health and safety...
A recent study reveals that when it comes to workplace hazards, work, health and safety...
A study busts the myth that pain medications are necessary to ‘get on top of the pain’.
Research shows that our emotional and mental state can influence how well we heal and bounce...
A study shows how using medical narratives — or sharing stories about medical experiences — can...
A study suggests that taking a break, getting some exercise and spending time in nature — either...
A study reveals that workers of colour are less likely to return to work after illness or injury.
Swearing feels good — not just psychologically, it also helps us tolerate pain.
A study suggests that some types of reassurance by doctors might be more helpful than others...
What makes it so hard to effectively assess and implement measures to address psychosocial...
Early mental health services can accelerate recovery, improve function and improve...
A study into what motivates people to engage in programs for preventing low back pain offers...
A study confirms the strong link between work disability and suicide or self-harm.
Being kinder to oneself may be a key to dealing with ongoing pain and achieving greater well-being
A worksite self-management program that used a group psycho-education format helped workers with...
By using the 3 ‘ingredients’ of self-determination theory, healthcare professionals can help...
A recent study into a new approach called Cognitive Functional Therapy offers hope for those...
There is increasing recognition of the importance of psychological factors in how we recover...
Concerns about the lack of quality of care for musculoskeletal pain conditions led researchers...
A study confirms that even small changes in your daily habits, like how long you sleep and how...
Long-term pain conditions are common for many working adults and can have a big impact on job...
Self-management is now seen as a collaboration between the person living with the pain and their...
A study shows what people who have rotator cuff-related shoulder pain want when it comes to...
A study into how people with ongoing musculoskeletal pain experience their workplaces and how...
We’re becoming more and more aware that traditional treatments for long-term back pain — like...
For people who are looking for a natural, drug-free way to manage their depression, a recent...
Physios should ‘tinker with’ or ‘throw away the script’ if they want to respond in a more...
Physios should ‘tinker with’ or ‘throw away the script’ if they want to respond in a more...
Person-centred care is an important part of care for people with musculoskeletal pain...
Not everyone with persistent pain conditions can access specialised pain services. How effective...
Self-management can be a game-changer in helping patients take control of their pain and start...
A study explores the barriers to self-management of chronic pain conditions in primary...
It is now accepted that self-management is critical for people with chronic conditions. But what...
What’s the economic impact of work-related illness or injury? Safe Work Australia engaged...
It’s the people who have first-hand experience of a service or system that can give the most...
What impact does friction between workers’ comp stakeholder have on the effective rehabilitation...
Lumbar spinal fusion surgery is an increasing, but controversial procedure for chronic low back...
Workers with long term claims face many challenges when their claims end. Difficulty finding...