InjuryNET

Articles	The following articles include topics such as: Injury Management Communicating about Injury Management Benchmarking Working with Doctors Practitioner Networks Managing Chronic Pain Cases Aging Workforce Avoiding Litigation Also have a look at our Article Archive on Injury Management Programs Early Reporting Absence Management Managing Stress Cases Fraud in Workers Compensation
INJURY MANAGEMENT	Treating the Whole Elephant Rebecca Shafer (Dec 2005) A thorough overview of the features of an effective injury management program.
INJURY MANAGEMENT	Before and After Rebecca Shafer (Nov 2005) This article by the same author of “Treating the Whole Elephant” also outlines features of an effective IM program.The last section contains a useful overview of the key characteristics and skills to look for in an employer-based Workers Compensation Manager.
INJURY MANAGEMENT	Medical-Only Claims That Become Lost-Time Claims: A Study of Characteristics John Robertson & Derek Schaff (2006) “Understanding the characteristics of workers compensation claims that are more likely to be converted from medical-only claims to lost-time claims can help industry participants focus resources and minimize total workers compensation costs.” Amongst the findings, carpal tunnel claims have a 34% probability of moving from medical-only to lost-time claims! All the more reason to encourage employees to report these niggling-type cases and get them into treatment ASAP!
INJURY MANAGEMENT	Adverse Surprises in Workers Compensation: Cases with Significant Unanticipated Medical Care and Costs Richard A Victor, WCRI (2006) “One goal of workers compensation systems is predictability. Two important aspects are the predictability of costs to employers and the outcomes experienced by workers. Yet, some cases evolve into what we’re calling “adverse surprises” – the costs exceed reasonable expectations, and the outcomes that workers experience are worse than expected.” A study which highlights the things which can lead to a big mess for all concerned in a claim!
INJURY MANAGEMENT	Employer-Initiated Disability Management Richard Pimentel (2004) The way of things to come? Actually, this approach is already becoming established in Australia.
INJURY MANAGEMENT	Getting the Tough Cases Back to Work Gordon Butler (Nov 2002) Another clear guideline of an effective injury management program, with emphasis on keeping the lines of communication wide open.
INJURY MANAGEMENT	The Return of Return-to-Work Programs Wayne Young (Nov 2004) Always good to go back and review the basics!
COMMUNICATING ABOUT INJURY MANAGEMENT	Why Won’t They Listen? Larry Hansen (Sep 2004) Humour is often a great way to make a point. This is a dry take on why managers, supervisors and employees don’t seem to get the message, complete with strategies to see that they do! A good giggle.
COMMUNICATING ABOUT INJURY MANAGEMENT	Controlled Case Study of Supervisor Training to Optimise Injury Response in the Food Processing Industry Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety (Feb 2006) Another compelling case study for ensuring Supervisor understanding of the injury management imperative.
COMMUNICATING ABOUT INJURY MANAGEMENT	Addressing Back Injuries Richard Gray, Mark Miller & Scott Herbowy (Dec 05) This outlines the benefits of explaining back injury and recovery throughout the company, as well as suggestions on ‘how to’.
COMMUNICATING ABOUT INJURY MANAGEMENT	Playing it Safe Melinda Finch (Dec 2005) Australian case examples (eg: Qantas, IAG) of effective OHS/Injury Management communication within a company.
COMMUNICATING ABOUT INJURY MANAGEMENT	Workers Compensation Programs: Attitudes & Behaviours Bill Gilmour (Nov 2000) More on walking the talk of Injury Management.
BENCHMARKING	Benchmarking Medical Absence Philip Denniston Jr. & Patricia Whelan (Feb 2005) This is an excellent ‘how to’ guide! A comprehensive review of benchmarking techniques and tools for measuring lost time due to injury or illness.
WORKING WITH DOCTORS	Preventing Needless Work Disability by Helping People Stay Employed ACOEM Stay-at-Work / Return-to-Work Committee Report Dr Jennifer Christian (Aug 2005) A refreshing paper written by doctors, outlining how doctors and employers can work together to keep people at work. Note new industry acronym: SAW
WORKING WITH DOCTORS	Occupational Stress: a survey of management in general practice Grant M. Russell & Sally M. Roach (2002) This study reviewed GP’s approach to managing a patient reporting work-related stress: “…findings indicate that general practitioners take a pragmatic and varied approach to the management of work-related stress. The perceived difficulties with contacting employers challenge the principles of injury management within a workers compensation system which is dependent on liaison between system stakeholders”.
WORKING WITH DOCTORS	Individual factors and GP approach as predictors for the outcome of rehabilitation among long term sick listed cases Kurt Rasmussen & John H Anderson (Jun 2005) No surprises here. Doctors who empathetically provide information about the health and social possibilities (note positive term!) have the greatest impact.
PRACTITIONER NETWORKS	Pushing a Revolutionary Agenda Maddy Bowling (Jul 2005) The evolution and revolution of Practitioner Networks in workers compensation.
MANAGING CHRONIC PAIN CASES	Seven Strategies for Reducing Duration of Chronic Pain Cases Dr Maja Jurisic (Mar 2006) Very practical points! This information is from the Workplace Fitness & Disability Roundtable, an online international forum of injury management professionals. Highly recommended!
MANAGING CHRONIC PAIN CASES	The Evolving Theory of Pain Management Stephen E. Dannenbaum (Feb 2005) A quick overview of the Biopsychosocial model of pain management.
AGING WORKFORCE	Injury Prevention in an Aging Workforce F.S. Drennan & D. Richey (Sep 2003) An excellent review of case studies and lessons learned for successful integration of fitness, safety and leadership programs. Also includes strategies to create a mandate for participation in such programs.
AVOIDING LITIGATION	Why Injured Workers File Suit Tim Michels & Linda Petit (Nov 2004) A good statement of reasons! How many can you avoid?
AVOIDING LITIGATION	Procedural Fairness, Return-to-Work and the Decision to Dispute in Workers Compensation Karen Roberts & Willard Young (1997) Another study with supports conventional wisdom. The quality of interaction with decision makers is the more influential determinant of an injured worker’s overall perception of being treated fairly in the return-to-work process.