Research Updates

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.

Victorian Injured Worker Outcomes Study Part 4 — suggestions for improvement to the workers’ compensation system

contributorLauren Finestone

It’s the people who have first-hand experience of a service or system that can give the most...

The Victorian Injured Worker Outcomes Study: Part 1 — the impact of IMEs on workers’ recovery

contributorLauren Finestone

A Victorian study into the factors that influence longer term workers’ compensation claims found...

Case management survey: caseloads, commitment and self-training

contributorRTWMatters team

We share results from the 2021 Return to Work Matters Case Management Survey, completed by more...

You didn't tell me that: Unfair communication and mental health

contributorRTWMatters team

More Australian research supports the link between mental health struggles amongst workers'...

Are we taking care of psychiatric nurses?

contributorRTWMatters team

Psychiatric nurses who report the most mental health symptoms see more barriers to seeking help...

Perspective check: Claims leaders versus frontline claims professionals

contributorRTWMatters team

Nine takeaways from US research comparing the perspectives of claims leaders to those on the...

Mirror, mirror

contributorGabrielle Lis

“Who’s the fairest?” matters to compensation recipients. Researchers find associations between...

The emotional demands of case management

contributorGabrielle Lis

Researchers take us to the struggling heart of case management, via focus groups with Australian...

For injured workers, are insurers the rock and treaters the hard place?

contributorGabrielle Lis

Workers view insurer / healthcare provider relationships as adversarial and hamstrung – but they...

Questioning the impact of compensation stress on health

contributorGabrielle Lis

What aspects of compensation systems cause stress? How common is it? Does compensation-related...

Physical activity at work and low back pain

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Back problems are commonly attributed to work and many in the community believe that heavy...

She'll be right: Under-reporting injury in the workplace

contributorFrancesca McSteen

According to one study, only 52% of work related injury and illness gets reported

Predicting and preventing long-term disability

contributorTom Wells-Quinn

Recognising the risk factors for long term disability can help employers reduce the compensation...