A workplace rehabilitation provider (WRP) is comprised of tertiary qualified health professionals that specialise in the complex needs of workers and employers to achieve timely and sustainable return to work outcomes following injury or illness. Like treating health professionals, they are independent of other stakeholders and strive for a safe and sustainable return to work for workers with an injury, as approved by their treating practitioners. WRP’s can be relied on to provide expert opinion and solutions to resolving workplace injury . Competencies research has consistently identified vocational counselling, personal counselling, professional practice and case management as central to quality vocational rehabilitation service provision (Buys, Matthews et al. 2015).
In reviewing elements that contribute to an individual’s injury, WRPs work closely with employers to ensure their potential for other workplace harm is mitigated, their risk of injuring others in their workplace eliminated or reduced and the health of the workforce improved. This enables improved workplace safety, improved productivity and reduced financial burden. Evidence suggests that shared goals, communication and cooperation among the support team is critical in improving clinical and occupational outcomes for the worker (Foreman, Murphy, Swerissen, 2006).
Additionally, WRPs have a purpose beyond insurances and working for schemes. At the core of workers with an injury or illness are families and the broader social networks who are impacted by events that resulted in injuries, conflict and disease.
Evidence shows:
- good work is therapeutic and promotes recovery (Cheng, Hung 2007) / (RACGP 2013)
- safe work is good for you physically, socially and financially (Waddell, Burton 2006) / (RACGP 2011)
- time off work is often not medically necessary and can delay recovery (Johnson D 2002)
- the longer a worker is off work the less likely they are to ever return (Foreman, Murphy, Swerissen 2006).
While returning to work may not always be easy, supporting a worker to stay at work in some capacity provides the best chance of a positive outcome following their injury. It’s also better for the workplace. This is the key function of the workplace rehabilitation provider – ensuring both a commercial and social return on investment.