Analysing data to better predict – and prevent – workplace injuries, wearable technology to monitor potential risks and employee health, and greater investment into artificial intelligence.
These are some of the challenging trends facing businesses when it comes to reducing risk, avoiding workplace injuries and lowering compensation claims.
APM WorkCare presented the latest insights on workplace health and safety at the latest SRCLA (Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Licensees Association) Education Forum in Melbourne.
Philip Paysden, General Manager for APM WorkCare said other notable trends included the use of virtual health interventions such as SMS counselling and virtual physiotherapy.
Philip said the use of telehealth services to provide early intervention, including physiotherapy during a first rehabilitation session resulted in more than 90% of workplace injury cases not progressing to a workers’ compensation claim.
Sharing data from APMiQ, APM’s psychosocial app, Philip also explained how according to a survey of more than 250 clients, using APM’s Life Index, injured workers aiming to return to work shared these top three major biopsychosocial concerns:
- Money and financial security
- Socialising
- Family relationships
These concerns are in line with the noticeable trend of an increase in biopsychosocial approaches and the wider use of wellbeing programs in managing effective return to work cases.
Also presenting at the forum, APM WorkCare’s ODG expert, Alicia Sanzo, explained how the Official Disability Guidelines can be used to better support return to work planning and the Health Benefits of Good Work.
“The ODG is a useful tool to support return to work and recovery,” Alicia said.
“It can be used to support he certification process, identification of modified duties, treatment approvals and to set realistic goals with both the worker and stakeholders.”
“Using the ODG can help provide confidence to everyone involved in a worker’s recovery about their safe return to work and support the planning of assisting them back to their pre-injury or alternative employment.”
The SRCLA Attendees were particularly interested in learning more about common medications used in injury management and their contraindications. APM invited keynote speaker, Dr Lane Hinchcliffe to delve more into this topic, covering chronic pain as well as depression and anxiety medications.
Learn more about the Official Disability Guidelines, return to work and injury prevention by speaking to one of our APM WorkCare teams. Call 1300 967 522 or email workcare@apm.net.au.