Articles

This page lists all practical and feature articles available on RTWMatters. From top ten tips, how to guides and case studies, through to webinar recordings and video interviews with industry experts.

Click the ‘Topics’ button below to drill down into all articles and research updates on your topic of interest.

Click the ‘Quick Guides’ button for practical bit sized guides that give you a sound basic knowledge base.

Lifestyle Factors and RTW: Drugs

contributorAnne Richey

According to NDSHS data, workers are more likely to have used illicit drugs in the past 12...

Lifestyle Factors and RTW: Alcohol

contributorAnne Richey

Alcohol and smoking are the most common legal drugs in use in Australia today.

Webinar recording: What works - Lessons from overseas

contributorRobert Aurbach

The most successful workers' compensation system in the world is one you haven't heard of.

Claims Process: the stress of making a claim

contributorAnne Richey

When a worker is injured, there might be fears for their job stability, financial burdens, or...

Medical treatment: the importance of early access

contributorAnne Richey

Delayed access to medical treatment means delayed recovery.

Cooperation: Why is it important in RTW?

contributorAnne Richey

Cooperation is vital in return to work. Many parties are involved and they must all work...

Better Workplace Systems: how to implement them

contributorAnne Richey

This article takes you through some effective ways of making sure that your workplace systems...

Injury Management Policy: sample

contributorAnne Richey

Are injury management policies a mystery to you? This template should help.

Injury Management: how to create your policy

contributorAnne Richey

An injury management policy provides broad guidelines on the company’s approach to injury...

RTW Systems - How does your workplace stack-up?

contributorAnne Richey

Developing effective workplace systems can be challenging. It can also be difficult to know if...

Case Study: Time to heal

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Mr L, a tall, solid-framed, right-handed 58 year old man, reported pain in his right elbow....

Case Study: It pays to do the right thing, even when dubious about a claim

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Michael was a 48-year-old machine operator. He had been at the workplace for nine months. During...

2015 RTW Matters Reader Survey: Feedback

contributorRTWMatters team

This survey article looks at how you use the RTW Matters website. What's useful? How do you use...

Case Study: Injured, But not at Work. What to do?

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Joe, a 45-year-old storeman, fractured his left thumb in an injury mowing his lawn at home. A...

2015 RTW Matters Reader Survey: what barriers are you facing?

contributorRTWMatters team

A huge thank you to everyone who responded to our reader survey. It helps us to understand some...

Case Study: Exploring the Options

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

This case study explores the importance of providing options for the injured worker's return to...

When you suspect an Employee

contributorAnne Richey

Employers and supervisors see their employees on a very regular basis. They know their habits...

Role Summary: Return to Work Coordinator

contributorAnne Richey

Effective RTW coordinators play a vital role in injury management and prevention. It's neither a...

Fanol Isai: RTW in Aged Care

contributorAnne Richey

Fanol Isai from Catholic Homes won the “Return to Work Coordinator Excellence” WorkSafe Victoria...

Jane Braddy: RTW in Home and Aged Care

contributorAnne Richey

According to WorkSafe Victoria, workers in residential care, including aged care, have a higher...

Webinar Recording: The role of the medical certificate in identifying and managing RTW barriers

contributorHarry Papagoras

Physiotherapist Harry Papagoras discusses how medical certificates can be used to identify...

Most Victorian GPs not recommending RTW: study

contributorRTWMatters team

A study shows that Victorian GPs are unlikely to recommend alternate duties for injured workers.

Broken people from broken systems

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

For many injured workers, the greatest challenge is not the extent of their injuries but the...

Turning a dead-end into a new start

contributorStefanie Garber

An individualised, flexible re-training program aimed at giving people confidence may be key to...

When disaster strikes

contributorStefanie Garber

The support offered to a worker with catastrophic injuries can be vital to the person's...

Work and shoulder problems

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

The connection between work and shoulder problems

Are you a Manager, a Leader or both?

contributorLori Boys

We should no longer manage, we should lead...how many times have you heard that?

Putting a price on trust

contributorStefanie Garber

Building social capital costs little but the potential benefits are priceless.

Katherine Lippel: talks workers' compensation systems

contributorScott Sanderson

Professor Katherine Lippel presents: Workers' compensation design: how rules and practices may...

Developing a successful rehabilitation program: case study

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Interview with Garry Pearce, Director of Rehabilitation for the Tasmanian Department of Health.

The Balancing Act

contributorTom Barton

We speak to rehab provider Donna Valiant about managing everybody's needs, expectations and...

Returning to hard work

contributorMary Harris

Genius, they say, is 1% inspiration, and 99% perspiration. This case study looks at how four...

Impatient with patients on modified duties

contributorMary Harris

After foot surgery, rehab professional Mary Harris gains first hand insight into how co-workers...

The OT way

contributorGabrielle Lis

What do gardening, work and dancing have in common? According to Occupational Therapist Sven...

Who's the boss?

contributorGabrielle Lis

The health and wellbeing of people with chronic illness improves when they become...

SPICE up your injury management

contributorDr Mary Wyatt and Tom Barton

The SPICE treatment method is simple and proven since WWI.

Return to work coordinators - Revealing the gold

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

RTW coordinators make a huge difference, but how do we find, develop and promote the right...

SuperDoc (6) - Issues around causation

contributorSuperDoc

A look at the issues surrounding work causation ... and the funny questions people ask superheros.

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