Better together October 2012
12
In this issue: Upcoming events New resources Industry scholarship program Research FAQs The Provider Directorate Issue 1, October 2012
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Better together is a WorkCoverSA Provider Directorate initiative to keep you up to date with important provider information and to assist you in your service delivery.
Transcript of Better together October 2012
In this issue:
Upcoming events
New resources
Industry scholarship program
Research
FAQs
The Provider Directorate
Issue 1, October 2012
2 October 2012
Better Together is a WorkCoverSA Provider Directorate initiative to keep you up to date with important provider information and to assist you in your service delivery.
Better Together provides updates on relevant resources and information to support medical, allied health and workplace rehabilitation providers to achieve the best outcomes for injured workers, employers and the South Australian community.
We would appreciate your comments and suggestions for future editions.
If there is a topic you would like more information on or if you would like to contribute information beneficial to achieving remain at work or return to work outcomes, please contact us with your suggestions at the Provider Directorate [email protected]
In this issue you will find information about:
• Upcoming events
• Clinical Framework for the delivery of health services
• New resources
» GP Helpline
» Workplace rehabilitation practice framework and workbook
» Workplace rehabilitation competency guidelines
» Biopsychosocial risk factors in work related back injuries
• Industry scholarship program
• SafeWork SA library
• Research
• FAQS
• The Provider Directorate
Welcome to the first edition of Better Together
3October 2012
WorkcoverSA Quarterly Provider Forums
WorkCoverSA will be offering a series of quarterly provider forums, which will feature inspiring presenters who are leading experts in their fields.
The forums will provide informative and interactive content and will be a great opportunity for you to learn and to network with peers over light refreshments. They are open to all allied health and workplace rehabilitation providers involved in the management of injured workers.
The theme for these forums will be based on the guiding principles of the Clinical Framework for the delivery of health services and the Nationally consistent approval framework for workplace rehabilitation providers.
Through collaborative exploration of these framework principles, providers will gain an insight into innovative and practical tools to effectively integrate into their service delivery and successfully achieve durable and safe stay at work and return to work outcomes.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hour eligibility may apply for some professional groups.
There are limited seats available for this forum, so register now at www.workcover.com
No charge for attendance.
Upcoming events
Forum 1: ‘Recover better at work’ – evidence to practice
Time: 4.30 - 6.30pm
Date: Tuesday 6 November, 2012,
Location: WorkCoverSA Ground Floor, 400 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Presenter: Dr Mary Wyatt - Occupational Physician
Dr Wyatt is the founder of RTWMatters.org, an online resource for people involved with return to work management; Chair ResWorks; lecturer at Monash University; and former chair and current member of the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Policy and Advocacy Committee.
4 October 2012
Biopsychosocial risk factors in work-related back injuries
WorkCover has conducted a longitudinal prospective study that:
• assessed relevant risk dimensions (using the ’flags model’ of yellow, blue and black flags)
• determined the applicability of using specific psychosocial tools and strategies at acute to chronic stages of back injury to identify key risk drivers of chronicity over time
• evaluated the accuracy of current risk assessment by clinicians
• evaluated the nature of and impact of current treatment on long term health and work outcomes.
A discussion paper on that project is provided here www.workcover.com/workcover/resources/research
Clinical Framework for the delivery of health services
Workers compensation schemes support the Clinical Framework to guide delivery of healthcare services to injured workers. We will be supporting providers to adopt these principles within the standards and boundaries of their professional expertise. The principles apply to all compensable injuries regardless of their severity.
What is it?
• The Clinical Framework is an overarching document that outlines a set of five principles to guide the delivery of health services and support healthcare professionals in their management of injured workers.
• The Clinical Framework reflects the most contemporary approach to management and incorporates recent developments in evidence-based practice and use of objective outcome measurements in clinical practice.
• The framework is not intended to be overly prescriptive. Treating healthcare professionals will still use their experience, expertise and clinical reasoning in the provision of outcome-focussed allied health services.
New resources
5October 2012
What is its purpose?
• Optimise participation at home, work and in the community, and to achieve the best possible health outcomes for injured people.
• Inform allied healthcare professionals of the expectations for the management of injured workers.
• Provide a set of guiding principles for the provision of healthcare services for injured people, healthcare professionals and decision makers and:
• Ensure the provision of allied health services are goal-orientated, evidence-based and clinically justified.
The Clinical Framework principles:
1. Measure and demonstrate the effectiveness of treatment.
2. Adopt a biopsychosocial approach.
3. Empower the injured person to manage their injury.
4. Implement goals focussed on optimising function, participation and return to work.
5. Base treatment on best available research evidence.
Click here for an electronic copy of the Clinical Framework for the delivery of health services.
GP Helpline
In July this year, WorkCover introduced a new phone and email support service to assist medical practitioners.
Supported by the Australian Medical Association (SA), this new service provides streamlined access to staff who can answer workers compensation enquiries.
The toll-free phone number for the new service is 1800 180 545 and is staffed between 8:30am and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). Enquiries can also be emailed to [email protected].
GPs are encouraged to continue discussing specific case management issues with the relevant case manager.
New resources
6 October 2012
Workplace rehabilitation practice framework and workbook
In March 2011, WorkCover held a workshop of over 40 participants attended by principals and workplace rehabilitation consultants from many of South Australia’s contracted workplace rehabilitation provider companies.
The information gathered was used to develop the Workplace rehabilitation practice framework: Guide and Workbook.
The publication can be downloaded from our website here.
Workplace rehabilitation competency guidelines
The Workplace rehabilitation competency guidelines have been revised to reflect the Heads of Workers’ Compensation Authorities National Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers. It includes staff management principles which set minimum requirements for consultant qualifications, professional membership and workplace rehabilitation experience.
A copy of the guidelines can be downloaded from our website here.
Workplace Rehabilitation Competency Guidelines1
Workplace Rehabilitation Competency Guidelines Guidance for workplace rehabilitation
providers on staff management principlesIncluding:
Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Induction, ongoing learning and developmentAdequate staff resourcing
June 2012
Workplace Rehabilitation Practice Framework Guide and Workbook1
Workplace
Rehabilitation
Practice
Framework
Guide and
Workbook
June 2012
7October 2012
The WorkCover industry scholarship program has successfully run for two years. The program is designed to encourage and support people working in the South Australian workers compensation industry to undertake postgraduate study within the framework of industry-specific qualifications.
Scholarships are only available to those undertaking the following Personal Injury and Education Foundation (PIEF) postgraduate studies:
• Graduate Certificate of Management (Personal Injury)
• Graduate Diploma of Management (Personal Injury)
• Master of Management (Personal Injury).
Annually, there are four scholarships available, each with a maximum value of $15 000 per year of study. It should be noted this is a post graduate qualification and certain prerequisites must be met for enrolment. These are set and administered by Deakin University.
Eligible candidates include Rehabilitation and return to work coordinators, South Australian claims agent employees, self-insurers, approved workplace rehabilitation providers, WorkCover employees, and others appointed under the requirements of the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986.
Applications for scholarships for 2013 studies must be submitted before 26 October 2012. If you would like further information regarding this scholarship, email [email protected] or phone 13 18 55. If you require information regarding the courses, visit www.pief.com.au
Industry scholarship program
8 October 2012
IWH research alerts
The Institute for Work and Health in Canada has kindly given WorkCover permission to promote their Research Alerts. You may find specific articles relevant to your practice, and wish to access their full-text (through the SafeWork SA library or university libraries).
Please note that these articles:
• have not been reviewed by Institute scientists or WorkCover to assess the quality of the studies.
• are not to be considered as endorsed findings by WorkCover.
WorkCover cautions readers not to act on the results of single studies, but rather to seek bodies of evidence. It should also be noted that neither the Institute for Work and Health nor WorkCover can provide full-text articles, listed in the research alerts, to individuals outside of the organisation, as this violates copyright legislation.
Research
SafeWork SA libraryRecommended reading
Health behaviour change: a guide for practitioners (2nd ed.)
Author: Mason, Pip, Butler, Christopher C, Rollnick, Stephen (2010).
Abstract: provides health professionals with patient centered methods to promote behaviour change. Drawing on the spirit of motivational interviewing and incorporating best practice as described by current experts in communication skills, the approach is designed to be used during brief healthcare consultations in hospitals and community settings.
9October 2012
The following research has recently been published:
Desmeules F, Roy JS, MacDermid JC, Champagne F, Hinse O, and Woodhouse LJ. Advanced practice physiotherapy in patients with musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2012 )13(1):107.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-13-107 [open access]
Conclusions: The emerging evidence suggests that physiotherapists in APP roles provide equal or better usual care in comparison to physicians in terms of diagnostic accuracy, treatment effectiveness, use of healthcare resources, economic costs and patient satisfaction. There is a need for more methodologically sound studies to evaluate the effectiveness APP care.
Matsudaira K, Konishi H, Miyoshi K, Isomura T, Takeshita K, Hara N, Yamada K, and Machida H. Potential risk factors for new onset of back pain disability in Japanese workers: findings from the Japan epidemiological research of occupation-related back pain study. Spine. 2012; 37(15):1324-1333.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0b013e3182498382
Conclusions: Both ergonomic and work-related psychosocial factors may predict the development of LBP with disability among previously asymptomatic Japanese workers. Thus, workplace interventions aimed at reducing the incidence of LBP should focus on both ergonomic and psychosocial stress.
Fan J, McLeod CB, and Koehoorn M. Descriptive epidemiology of serious work-related injuries in British Columbia, Canada. PLoS ONE. 2012; 7(6):e38750.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0038750 [open access]
Conclusions: The risk of serious injuries is higher among specific age groups with different patterns emerging for men and women. Variations persisted within similar injury types and occupation groups in our adjusted models. These results provide evidence for the burden of serious injuries and a basis for future analytic research. Given projected demographic shifts and increasing workforce participation of older workers, intervention programs should be carefully implemented with consideration to demographic groups at risk for serious injuries in the workplace.
10 October 2012
What is the Nationally Consistent Approval Framework for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers (NARP)?
The Heads of Workers’ Compensation Authorities (HWCA) represents the peak bodies responsible for the regulation of workers compensation in Australia and New Zealand, including WorkCoverSA.
NARP is endorsed by the HWCA and was developed to:
• provide a robust approval system across the workers’ compensation authorities
• enable the objective measurement of provider performance against the HWCA Conditions of Approval for Workplace Rehabilitation Providers.
• establish standards designed to deliver high quality workplace rehabilitation services to workers, employers and insurers.
The HWCA Guide outlines the NARP and is available on the HWCA website: www.hwca.org.au/projects.php
As a new graduate occupational therapist, can I provide WorkCover medical expert rehabilitation services?
Yes, you can. However, the delivery of job analyses, graduated return to work programs and worksite assessments require occupational therapists and physiotherapists to have completed a minimum of two years full-time clinical practice.
Occupational therapists and physiotherapists with less than the minimum required clinical experience may provide services to WorkCover if supervised for a period of 12 months by any registered practitioner in the same field of allied health service. Supervising practitioners must have a minimum of two years clinical experience and work at the same provider location in order to ensure effectiveness of supervision.
Supervising practitioners should also be registered with WorkCover as medical expert rehabilitation service providers before the commencement of the 12 month supervision period.
Information on medical expert registration and relevant services and fee schedules can be found on WorkCover’s website: www.workcover.com/health-provider/the-workcover-system/health-providers-and-services
FAQs
11October 2012
The Provider Directorate team provides high level technical skills, strategic and operational management on medical, hospital, allied health and workplace rehabilitation matters to achieve the best outcomes for injured workers, employers and the South Australian community. The team members are:
Director
• Sofi Paolo
Allied Health and Workplace Rehabilitation
• Sonja Dillon - Relationship Manager
• Judith Quinn and Doula Theodosi - Program Officers
Medical and Hospital
• David Caulfield - Relationship Manager
• Leanne Ho, Kim Wellington and Darren Smith - Program Officers
Provider Performance
• Phil Widdas - Manager
• Jenny Jackson - Program Officer
• Alan Ho - Data Analyst
• Phillip Marshall-Data Analyst
• Sonja Venter-Provider Maintenance Coordinator
• Gail Smith- Provider Maintenance Administrator
The team’s Administration Coordinator is Denise Lagos. A number of medical and allied health consultants also support the team’s activities. Our team aims to work with you to achieve outcomes for injured workers, employers and the South Australian community. To contact us:
WorkCoverSA Enquiries: phone: 13 18 55 400 King William Street Adelaide SA 5000 [email protected] www.workcover.com
The Provider Directorate
To subscribe for future editions of Better Together: [email protected]
12 October 2012
WorkCoverSA
Enquiries: Phone 13 18 55
Fax: (08) 8233 2990
www.workcover.com
The following free information support services are available:
TTY (deaf or have hearing/speech impairments) call (08) 8233 2574. For languages other than
English call the Interpreting and Translating Centre (08) 8226 1990 and ask for an interpreter to call
WorkCoverSA on 13 18 55. For Braille, audio or e-text call 13 18 55.
The information in this publication is compiled by WorkCover Corporation of South Australia. The
data and facts referred to are correct at the time of publishing and provided as general information
only. It is not intended that any opinion as to the meaning of legislation referred to is to be relied
upon by readers. You should seek independent or legal advice as to any specific issues that are
relevant to you, your workplace or organisation.
© WorkCover Corporation of South Australia, 2012
