Health Benefits of Safe Work

Health Benefits of Safe Work
Introduction to the program
Annie Campbell( Program Consultant NHV)
2014 program
• Builds upon the 2012-2013 program which created an awareness
of the key messages related to the Health Benefits of Returning to
work.
• Incorporates release of a template (Certificate of capacity) which
promotes best practice when certifying compensable patients.
• Provides e-learning and CPD opportunites for General Practitioners
and Practice support staff
• Provides resources for general practice to support and care for their
compensable patients in the clinical setting
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Health Benefits of Safe Work program –
Key stakeholders
The program is a joint initiative across the Victorian WorkCover Authority and
the Transport Accident Commission
Promoting the importance of returning to work as a public health message and
developing strategic initiatives is consistent with our focus on improving outcomes
for TAC clients and injured workers
The Health and Disability Strategy Group (HDSG) is a collaboration between the
TAC and VWA and is responsible for leading the program
HDSG has established partnerships with trusted organisations to promote the
importance of the Health Benefits of Safe Work
NHV and Medicare Locals
Royal Australian College of General Practice
Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Institute for Safety Compensation and Recovery Research's
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Health Benefits of Safe Work program –
Rationale
Problem
The majority of certificates issued state that the person has
“no capacity for work”
Certifiers receive little or no education about how to assess and certify
work capacity and the health benefits of work
Medically unnecessary certification is a significant barrier to RTW (Clinical
analysis of “unfit” VWA certificates found that approximately 44% are
inappropriately certified as having no work capacity)
Opportunity
The Australasian Consensus Statement on the Health Benefits of Work
presents evidence that work is generally good for health and wellbeing
Opportunity lies in raising awareness, providing tools and reinforcing
evidence based practice change amongst GP’s
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Work is generally good for health
(Dr Kevin Sleigh Clinical Lead- Medical HDSG)
Work is generally good for health and
wellbeing and long term work
absence has a negative impact on
health and wellbeing
Good outcomes are more likely
when individuals understand the
health benefits of work, and are
empowered to take responsibility
for their own situation
Health professionals exert a
significant influence on work absence
and work disability, particularly in
relation to medical sickness
certification practices
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The importance of early return to work –
Victorian WorkCover claims
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The importance of early return to work –
TAC claims
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The role of GPs in realising the
Health Benefits of Work
Evidence-based messages:
Work is an important part of
rehabilitation
Work is a therapeutic intervention
Typically, waiting for recovery,
delays recovery
Staying away from work may lead
to poorer health
Employer-supported, early return
to work helps recovery
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The role of GPs in realising the
Health Benefits of Work
Practical ways to support return to work:
Recommend a graduated increase in
activity
Set a timeline for return to work
Talk to the employer (preferably while
the patient is with you), especially
about how to work duties
Collaboratively identify obstacles and
solutions
Being clear about what health care can
and can’t achieve, and
Identifying possible sources of support
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GP assessment pathway for compensable patients
return to work
• What your patient can do
Assess
• Your patient about the health benefits of returning to work.
Advise
Set
Expectations
Certify
capacity
Review
• Provide a timeline for recovery and return to work.
• Based on what your patient can do
•Review your patient's progress and consider referrals if necessary. If there is no capacity consider how this can be addressed
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Introduction: new certificate of
capacity
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The new Certificate of Capacity is
designed to:
Improve information exchange and encourage a positive focus on
what an injured worker can do
Support the conversation between GPs and their patients about
returning to safe and sustainable work
Reduce the number of forms certifiers use through alignment
across the TAC and VWA (WorkSafe)
Align with the workflow of a consultation, including integration into
medical software
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Certificate of Capacity consultation
and development
Development commenced in 2012
Extensive consultation with:
Clinical – medical and allied health
Unions
Employers
Community practicing GPs
TAC and VWA (WorkSafe) business representatives
Over 30 written submissions received
ISCRR/Monash user testing
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Certificate of capacity
How to access the new Certificate of Capacity
Available on the TAC & VWA website as a smart form (for
the first time)
Available as a supplied template in common general
practice software
Paper versions are still able to be ordered
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Certificate of capacity
Vendor
Timeframe
Status
Medical Director
July 01

Best Practice
July 01

Genie Solutions
End July

Practix
July 01

ZedMed
July 01

Medtech
To be confirmed
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E-learning modules
Target audience: GPs in Victoria
4 x e-learning modules:
HBoSW – July 2014
New certificate of capacity – July 2014
Chronic pain – late 2014
Mental health claims – late 2014
Each module is of approx. 1 hr duration
GPs receive CPD points per module completed
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Thank you for your participation
Any queries please direct to [email protected]
If you have any other queries, please contact Network Health Victoria on
[email protected] or (03) 9341 5200

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