When twenty-six year old Sophie (not her real name) graduated from uni she took a job as an administrative assistant in a government department. Administration wasn’t Sophie’s first choice but she thought of it as a way to get some professional experience and earn a living while looking for her dream job. Two months into this “temporary” position, however, Sophie sustained a strain injury to her upper back.

Sophie returned to work immediately, performing restricted duties three days per week. Her workers’ compensation claim was accepted and her employer paid for treatments including physiotherapy and psychological counselling. However, she continued to feel that her pain and disability were severe and she was unable to progress to regular duties as expected.

Sophie was fearful and depressed. Did this mean that her career had ended before it had begun—and all for a job that she thought of as only a stepping stone? Her recovery stalled.

Still on restricted duties ten weeks after the injury, Sophie was referred to a Rehabilitation Provider licensed to use the Abilita Program. The Abilita Program includes an online comprehensive self-report assessment that focuses on a person’s beliefs about and perceptions of their situation, combined with a structured and tailored self-management skills coaching program.

Sophie’s rehab consultant, Mark, asked her to complete the Abilita questionnaire on a computer in his office, explaining that the report generated from her responses would help him better understand the impact the injury had on her life.

He then printed out an initial report and discussed the results with Sophie. She was impressed that the chart in the report reflected how she was feeling about her injury, including her concerns about its impact on her working future. At last someone was looking at the problem from her perspective.

Mark was able to discuss the issues behind her perceptions of pain and her diminished confidence in her ability to manage her life in her current circumstances. He explained how her recovery was influenced by her uncertainties. He told her that people who learn about pain actually manage pain much better, and recommended that she participate in a small group course designed specifically to teach people helpful coping strategies.

Sophie was very unsure about being involved in a group program; however Mark had demonstrated that he understood her needs and the Abilita Report did accurately reflect the impact of her injury. She became aware that she now had choices in the management of her injury and agreed to give the group a go. She also gave Mark permission to send the Abilita report to her GP and her Case Manager.

Sophie commenced the Abilita Early Intervention course two weeks after her first meeting with Mark. There were five other participants and the course ran for five half-days over a four week period. Different aspects of the course were delivered by rehab consultants with different allied health qualifications: an occupational therapist, physiotherapist and psychologist.

Sophie was surprised at how helpful it was to discuss common issues with the other participants and to support each other as they practiced new strategies. She found herself looking forward to each session, knowing that she would learn interesting and practical information and would be able to share her achievements with the group. Soon, her enthusiasm for attending was stronger than her initial reservations.

Mark (the physiotherapist) later reported that Sophie was initially reluctant to participate in the program, uncertain as to how this could help when she already had helpful treatment providers. However, she became fully engaged during the Science of Pain module and remained so throughout the rest of the program.

At her final session, Sophie spoke of her greater confidence in exercising, working and undertaking more of her pre-injury social and recreational activities.

While her primary injury was of a physical nature Sophie reported significant improvement in her general mental state, attributing this to the confidence that the Abilita Program had provided her. 

At the end of the coaching course Sophie completed the Abilita questionnaire again, and provided her evaluation of the program.  Mark printed out the Impact Report for her. The chart showed a comparison of her results in each of the Domains before and after. The differences in how she was feeling and coping now were remarkable.

By the end of the Abilita program, Sophie had returned to full time hours at work, and while she still had restrictions, she was confident that these would soon be lifted.

Pam Garton, Abilita Services P/L,  08 89414200, pam.garton@abilita.net.au