A collaborative early intervention model using community physiotherapists to support early, safe return to work for healthcare workers.

摘要

Workplace injuries can result in substantial financial losses to employers through disability insurance premiums, worker's compensation premiums and worker replacement costs. The integration of workplace injury prevention programs, supportive recovery resources, and early, safe, return to work (RTW) for injured workers are essential components of workplace disability management practices. Access to resources, such as physiotherapy, in conjunction with modified or transitional work has shown to be effective in facilitating worker re-engagement.This study investigated if there was an ideal model that would assist healthcare employers in managing acute workplace musculoskeletal injuries. PEARS Plus was developed as a sustainable model which emphasized collaboration amongst the employer, employee, community physiotherapist treatment provider and WorkSafeBC. This model demonstrated that costs savings could be realized by way of reductions in short-term disability (STD) duration, STD claims costs and increased RTW durability and was considered an effective and sustainable way of delivering early intervention services.