The Growing role of Physiotherapists in influencing work related outcomes

THE GROWING ROLE OF PHYSIOTHERAPISTS IN INFLUENCING WORK RELATED OUTCOMES

Presenter: Coburn P

WorkSafe Victoria and the Transport Accident Commission

Physiotherapists are commonly engaged in returning their patients to

work following an injury. However, the evidence for the effectiveness of

this activity has not been clearly demonstrated. There is an argument

often mounted by physiotherapists, that their impact on return to work

is nullified by the actions or inactions of others within the compensable

setting including employers, insurance agents, occupational rehabilitation

providers, and other health care providers. But this assertion has recently

been challenged by the results from a study on a network of private

practitioners working across a state of Australia. This group, provided

with training and support, demonstrated an improvement in return to

work outcomes over a group of their peers who did not have access to the

same resources.

In this presentation, the key principles of the training of these

physiotherapists will be discussed. Central to the discussion will be the

role of the physiotherapist influencing, and where possible writing, the

certificate of capacity. The benefits of extending certificate writing

authorisation by physiotherapists in the various legislations will

be considered.