One could claim Dr Richard Pimentel as an “anti-disability activist” through his commitment to rehabilitation and his persistence.

He is the type of guest speaker every conference requires – confident, entertaining and informative.  At the 2009 Workcover SA conference Dr Pimentel receive a round of applause for not having any PowerPoint slides (the previous speaker had 72!) so he was off to a good start.

The audience were a little unsure of what they were in for after Dr Pimentel’s colourful introduction.  What they received was the experience of an American who has been active in injury and disability management for several decades. He knows the difficulty of managing claims in a call centre and he has also spoken with the boards of corporations. His passion for improving worker welfare is undeniable.

Dr Pimentel recounted how terminology often dictates policy and procedure. He mentioned how “disability management” needed to become “injury management” as the narrow approach to rehabilitation encouraged disability through the dismissive perspective that nothing more can be done.

Indeed, much of his presentation would not be out of place at an OHS conference as he repeatedly showed how a RTW Coordinator’s role can be constructive through prevention of hazards. One difference was that the RTW approach focuses very much on the person rather than the mechanics of injury. He acknowledged the crucial role of looking at the injured client as a person and not as a participant in a process, both manufacturing and rehabilitation. 

RTWMatters asked Dr Pimentel whether the current push by President Obama for a universal healthcare program could affect how businesses manage injured workers. He said no, as the program does not specify workplace health issues; however, he said the current debate in the United States is serving to encourage corporations to push harder for the integration of worker health, return to work and public health issues. He pointed out that companies are beginning to see the considerable ideological and economic overlap in these areas.

Occasionally the presentation became a spiel but the hour-long speech provided a useful insight into an American RTW advocate who works in the field. Hopefully the next Workcover SA conference can find a similar speaker from Australia.