Nicole Matoushek PT MPH CSHE CEES
Posts: 723
Joined: January 15, 2005
From: St. Petersburg, FL
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WORK INTEGRATION PROGRAMS:
Work integration programs are a specialized form of return to work programs for injured workers. Like work hardening and work conditioning programs, work integration programs involve the development of a plan of care to recondition the injured worker in order to return to work following a work-related injury. Unlike traditional work hardening and work conditioning programs, work integration programs use real work activities and equipment and provide a graduated plan and work schedule for the individual to regain strength and endurance, and improve positional tolerances, by performing work activities. This approach allows the individual to be productive at the workplace, and provides a forum for addressing pain limitations and pain behaviors, which may prevent or inhibit return to work, thus optimizing return to work outcomes.
The program works by evaluating the clinical factors, injury factors, ergonomic risk factors and work tasks of an injured worker who can not easily return to his or her pre-injury level of work function. By evaluating the injured worker’s functional deficits, injury characteristics, critical job demands and ergonomic risk factors, the rehabilitation professional can develop a scheduled progression of work duties that will allow progressive reconditioning and adequate tissue healing, while allowing the worker to remain productive and safe at the workplace. Work integration programs are a very effective method in injury management, as they provide prompt return to work, productive work duties and an opportunity for injury resolution, all of which can significantly influence the overall cost of the injury claim.
Components of Work Integration Programs
The components of the work integration program are described below. This program requires the cooperation, and consent, of not only the injured worker, but the ordering physician, insurance carrier and the employer.
• Work Data
• Functional Assessment
• Injury Characteristics
• Ergonomic Risk factors
• Injury Risk
• Work Organization factors
• Recommendations
Work Integration Plan of Care
The work integration plan of care involves the assessment, development and management of all of the components of return to work.
References:
[URL=http://www.ergorehabinc.com]www.ergorehabinc.com[/URL]
Nicole Matoushek, MPH, PT CEES, CSHE, CEAS
[URL=http://www.ergorehabinc.com]www.ergorehabinc.com[/URL]
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Nicole Matoushek, PT, MPH, CSHE, CEES
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