Collaborative rehabilitation at the workplace

Abstract

Rehabilitation of disabled workers in the workplace requires a co-ordi-

Creating Successful Rehabilitation Partnerships Between Health Professionals and Employers

“…The organisation has the greatest potential to provide a coordinated system of communication between key stakeholders in the injury management process. Previous research has emphasised the critical role of employers in facilitating successful return-to-work (Kearns, 1997;Friesen et al, 2001;Gard & Larsson, 2003;Williams & Westmorland, 202). Research by Habeck, Scully, Vantol and Hunt (1998) highlighted the influence of several employer strategies in effectively managing work disability, including demonstrated organisational commitment (e.g., explicit support of high level management), accountability, and timely responses.…”

Absence management and the issues of job retention and return to work

“…5 Between them, such legislative re q u i rements draw attention to what are widely seen as key elements in employer-based strategies to support the continued employment and speedy return to work of ill workers. In short, these are the appointment of people with responsibility for co-ordinating the return-to-work process, the laying down of clear p ro c e d u res for handling cases, the utilisation of work adjustments which take into account the effects of any impairments that act to limit the work capabilities of workers and early rehabilitative intervention (see, for example, Kearns, 1997;Kenny, 1995).…”

Bridging the Gaps: The Role of Occupational Therapy and Opportunities for its Development

“…Occupational science is being considered by some as the 'science on which our occupational therapy profession rests' (Wilcock, 2001). Occupational therapists overseas have led the way in vocational rehabilitation and provide evidence of areas in which UK occupational therapists might further develop their role (Kearns, 1997). Particular skills which predispose occupational therapists to play a key role in employment programmes have been identified by Mountain and Carman (2001) s limiting the effects of illness and disability through occupation.…”

“…The most frequently identified gap is that between health and employment services. Kearns (1997) referred to this as a 'disjunction' at the interface of health services and the workplace. The British Society of Remedial Medicine noted that health needs were commonly addressed first and employment needs considered afterwards.…”

“…s directly for employers such as Consignia s under specific contracts with companies (Pratt, 1997) s with voluntary organisations such as the Shaw Trust s with insurance companies such as Unum s with occupational health departments (Kearns, 1997).…”