Overview
While healthcare for injured workers is important, research shows that medical treatment alone doesn't guarantee someone will successfully return to work. The best results happen when health support is combined with workplace planning and other return to work strategies.1
Health and wellbeing strategies are designed for each individual worker but can include many different types of support.2
- Medical and physical support includes medical assessments to understand the person's condition and progress, gradual exercise programs, appropriate medical treatment and medication, and speech and physical therapy.
- Mental and emotional support involves psychological, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), emotional support from counsellors or psychologists.
- Education and self-management involves teaching people how to manage their own health through pain management techniques, coaching on healthy lifestyle, advice on what activities are safe to do at home and at work and guidance on building strength and stamina gradually.
- Team-based care uses multidisciplinary teams where different health professionals work together. This might include rehabilitation specialists, occupational therapists, social workers, neuropsychologists, physical therapists and speech therapists.
- Pain management needs include instructions on taking pain medication on a proper schedule, learning non-medication strategies and understanding the difference between harmful pain and normal discomfort during recovery.
- Money and benefits help involves supplying information as early as possible about sick leave, workers' compensation, disability benefits, how working will affect their payments and whether they can get help paying for travel or equipment.
Key strategies for success
Several important strategies make health and wellbeing support most effective:
- Start early and stay consistent – beginning health support as soon as possible after injury prevents problems from getting worse and speeds up recovery. Regular, consistent support works better than occasional interventions.
- Take a whole-person approach – don't just treat the physical injury—address mental health, emotional wellbeing and social needs too. People recover better when all aspects of their health are supported.
- Make it personal – every person's injury, recovery speed and circumstances are different. Support plans should be tailored to individual needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Build gradually – whether it's exercise, activity levels or returning to work duties, gradual progression prevents setbacks. Pushing too hard too fast can cause re-injury or discouragement.
- Provide ongoing support – recovery doesn't end when someone returns to work. Continued monitoring and support help prevent relapse and address new challenges that arise in the workplace.