Using assessments such as a workplace assessment, initial assessment, functional capacity evaluation and tolls such as treating doctor case conferences, our consultants can drive the return to work process in conjunction with the employer’s management team and the insurance company’s claims and injury management teams. Using evidence based practice and an outcome focussed model of service delivery, our consultants will develop a plan that promotes a safe and durable and timely return to work.
The key assessments and tools in same employer occupational rehabilitation are:
• Initial Needs Assessment
This is often the starting point for the workplace rehabilitation process. Delivered as an interview based assessment with the injured worker and utilizing the employer, nominated treating doctor and any treatment professionals if appropriate, the assessment aims to provide an overview of the injured workers current status and starting snapshot of any issues that may affect the return to work. The Initial Needs Assessment helps to identify potential return to work barriers and strategies to overcome these.
• Workplace Assessment
Workplace Assessment provides an in-depth look into the work environment and the work demands on a worker. Providing a detailed task analysis with the aid of visual cues, the workplace assessment assists the NTD in determining the validity of suitable duties offered to an injured worker, and to place restrictions in line with these. It is also a forum to identify modifications to environment or duties to assist in the identification of suitable duties. |
• Treating Doctor Case Conferencing
Often the nominated treating doctor is oblivious to all the issues relating to a case, with limited information on workplace duties, the availability and demands of suitable duties and workplace issues which may affect the return to work process. Dynamic Occupational Health Solutions can assist the process by preparing an agenda for a case conference with the nominated treating doctor and educating them of the barriers that may restrict progress as well as strategies that may be put in place to overcome these. The end product is a decision made with the full knowledge of the issues, often resulting in faster upgrades of suitable duties and the hours worked. Case conferences are used in both Same and different employer case management.
• Functional Capacity Evaluation
Dynamic Occupational Health Solutions utilises the PWPE© developed by ErgoScience©, as a valid and reliable tool to determine true physical capacity for work., Often used when upgrades are not being given by the treating doctor, the PWPE functional capacity evaluation objectively determines safe working capacity and restrictions that need to be adhered to. |
