Case Study 1: Same Employer Servcies 

The Scenario

An injured worker who is female, twenty-five years of age and employed as an administration assistant. She has suffered a wrist strain while typing as part of her normal duties. The injury occurred approximately 1 month prior to referral. The injured client is certified fit for suitable duties for 25 hours per week with a 1kg lifting restriction. The employer has stated there are no suitable duties available.

During initial contact with the injured worker, she mentions that she has just been certified totally unfit by her doctor and been referred to a hand surgeon for an assessment. When speaking to the employer, they state that they question the validity of the injury, as the injured worker had reported a netball injury a week before the injury took place, and that she is also currently studying a computer course outside of work.

The Barriers Preventing a Successful Outcome:

The following barriers that could impact on the injured workers recovery that need to be addressed are:
• Obtaining a clear diagnosis of the injured worker's injury given the recent referral to a hand surgeon. This would be obtained from the Surgeon / GP and the Consultant (if possible) would attend the next review.
• Exploring with the injured worker other activities outside work that may have impacted on the injury, whether these activities are continuing and whether they may be causing ongoing symptoms.
• Lack of functional improvement given the injury occurred one month ago.
• Potential lack of active treatment; referral to hand surgery has occurred but nothing else.
• Lack of treatment intervention to improve functionality – passive management by NTD.
• Explore the current relationship in the workplace and the support from the employer perceived by the injured worker
• NTD doctor providing an unfit certification after initially certifying injured worker fit for 25 hours a week.

Injury Treatment’s SE case management model incorporates 6 phases:

1. Triage and screening Phase
2. RTW Assessment & Medical Management Phase
3. Strategy Development Phase and Case Streaming
4. Implementation Phase
5. Monitoring Phase
6. Outcome Phase

Please review each of these Phases using the links opposite

• Case Study 1: Same Employer Rehabilitation
  • Triage & Screening
  • RTW Assessment & Medical Management
  • Strategy Development & Case Streaming
  • Implementation
  • Monitoring
  • Outcome
  • Barrier Strategy Summary
• Case Study 2: Different Employer Rehabilitation