The advice and suggestions offered in our previous surveys have been introduced and acted upon where possible, and we expect to do the same with the survey this year.

This article shares how other readers use RTW Matters for their own benefit, or to inform others.

What are the unexpected advantages, usefulness or value of being a RTW Matters member?

When we received the results to the question, “Did you find unexpected advantages, usefulness or value during your membership period?” we decided to group the answers into themes. The quotes supplied below are a ‘best of’ selection (spelling corrected where required).

How has the content been useful in influencing others?

As with past years, one of the main benefits our members identify is the usefulness of the content when it comes to influencing and educating key people in the RTW process. These were some of the suggestions were made about influencing others:

• Sending RTW Matters case studies to managers… is a helpful way of engaging managers in proactive RTW discussions that they can relate to. 
• The evidence-based approach is valuable when influencing as it provides an alternative source of research material that can be used when presenting ideas or suggestions to senior management. 
• A respondent highlighted the editable tools and templates as particularly helpful.  
• As modern workforces continue to embrace technological means to keep remote and nation-wide team members engaged and connected, we hear that RTW Mattes articles are useful to increase discussion in-house within RTW and injury management teams as well as interstate peers. 
• As many experienced RTW professionals know, RTW runs smoothly when all stakeholders effectively look after their day to day management of RTW, enabling strategic planning. Sharing practical RTW skills and competency based articles with inexperienced stakeholders can assist them in their day to day task management, leaving senior RTW staff to work on the bigger picture.  
• Small to medium business are naturally at a disadvantage when it comes to awareness and access to the latest evidence-based RTW information. One member highlighted the usefulness of RTW Matters articles for small business through providing strategies for managing staff. Members who are rehabilitation providers or claims agents may also find sharing articles with clients from small businesses will assist in reducing their disadvantage and assist in influencing RTW outcomes.

Wanting to share specific RTW Matters articles with non-members? 

There are a variety of sharing tools on our article pages. You’ll find social media buttons on the left, or share via email by selecting and copying the ‘Link’ or saving a ‘PDF’ version on the left.

(We are aware of some people sharing their login details with others. Please don’t. We work hard to bring you RTW information, subscriptions help defray our costs). 

How does the site help you?

Our readers were very positive about the way that the site helps them to do their job, with the level of information and independence described as invaluable. Again we’ve summarised and paraphrased responses. 

• Not all RTW professionals have the benefit of working in a team or alongside others who understand the challenges of the role. RTW Matters has helped members to realise that others in the RTW industry experience the same barriers and struggles they do. 
• An allied health professional pointed out that  the articles on evidence-based practice are helpful, because they provide them with an alternate method for staying abreast of current research.
• Looking for information on how to step up your RTW management? One RTW professional found the articles on RTW leadership to be helpful.
• The Workplace Systems Evaluation Quiz  was useful to share with management. This anonymous quiz is designed to identify areas in which RTW can be improved in your workplace – sharing with management can help them see just how much work and attention is needed.
• Our events and training directory continues to be a good reference for professional development opportunities.
• Who’s who in RTW? Who are the thought leaders that will influence the industry? One member mentioned RTW Matters as a way to identify key contacts in the RTW field.  
• Experienced practitioners find that RTW Matters supports the insights they have learned over the years, whilst also providing new ideas. 
• Last but not least, another RTW Matters member said that the site assists them to stay abreast of other information and options without needing to search widely for information. Everything in one place!

How would you rate the usability of the site?

Regarding website usability, we particularly liked the feedback from one member who said, “Great articles / great proformas / great source of helpful current info.”

Another said that they had high expectations of their membership, and that these expectations are continually met.

A further member said that they particularly like the webinars offered by RTW Matters, and the fact that they are recorded for re-watching. They enjoy being able to catch up at a convenient time.

Which specific sections of the website do you like the most?

In 2012, responders reported practical articles as the most popular section, followed by features / research. 

Now, in 2015, practical articles remain the most popular, however webinars, training videos and interviews follow closely behind. 

How is the information accessed on the site?

Members are most likely to view the content through the newsletter with browsing the site ranking higher than using the search function. This is the same as in previous surveys.

TIP:

The newsletter is a great way to keep an eye on fresh news and articles. We encourage you to take one step further and use the search function or “topics” page to find information on the topic of the month or anything else you need answers for. This is a ‘one-stop’ way to find all of our content on a subject.

Is there anything else you’d like to add to help us improve our service?

Some suggestions from members included:

• Making the webinar time earlier than 4pm to assist the people in New Zealand to participate.
• Including more on workplace productivity and prevention initiatives.
• Higher level information for rehabilitation consultants.
• Assistance in dealing with psychological issues and strategies.
• Hearing more from industry leaders in a format targeted at professionals.
• Having some webinars targeted exclusively at professionals.

In response, we are planning more ‘high end’ or more advanced topics, and a focus on psychological case management in the webinars for the rest of 2015.

We also had a large number of survey respondents who showered us with praise. This included:

• Congratulations on the great work you do in this space
• The list of training courses is great too
• Well done – I enjoy your site and the information it offers
• Thank you for all of the work that goes into developing the newsletter and training opportunities
• Keep up the great work

What stopped you from renewing? 

The number one reason for not renewing was the process of getting approval for the cost.

Would you recommend Return to Work Matters and why?

All the members who replied to this survey question answered with a responding YES (apart from one ‘possibly’). Not one person said no.

The key themes emerged:

Recommended for:

• It’s definitely a useful subscription for new or sole RTW coordinators, rehabilitation consultants and employers.
• It caters to all experience levels across OH&S, Injury Management, Occupational Therapy and Workers’ Compensation.
• Useful for providing tools and viewpoints for subordinates dealing with HR and OH&S.

Popular aspects of the site:

• It provides useful tools, articles and webinars.
• Jobs and events posting are valuable.
• There’s a good selection of resources.
• The articles are practical and can be applied to various worksites.
• The research is interesting and provides up to date information in all areas of RTW.
• It’s a comprehensive resource on various subject matters.

Feelings about the resources on the site:

• It’s objective, well rounded and evidence-based.
• It’s accessible, informative, topical and useful.
• It gets you to look at what you are doing and how it can be more effective. It helps to improve RTW practice.
• I regularly share items with colleagues.
• It’s useful for clarification and check lists for handling difficult cases.
• There are often a few handy hits that you can relate to and apply. Even if you know the information, it's often a nice refresher.
• It helps you to understand that you are not alone and the issues you are dealing with are not necessarily created by you!