Return To Work – Which Workers Make It, Despite Their Pain? Why?
HELEN BUTTERWORTH
Vocational Psychologist
CATALYST COUNSELLING
Melbourne
There are many factors which operate in the process of assisting in the occupational rehabilitation of injured workers, who experience on-going chronic pain.
Some serve to promote the likelihood of RTW, and others to sabotage any chance of this.
The two vital base ingredients are time, and the capacity of the worker to make a successful emotional adjustment to their new situation. If adequate time is allowed for the process of rehabilitation – and it will take as long as it takes – then the chances of making a durable RTW are enhanced. Likewise, the need for the worker to come to a point of acceptance of their new injured state, of their chronic pain, and of the need to move this emotional adjustment forward – as best they can – is the central plank of success in the RTW process.
Other factors also influencing the eventual outcome of return to work, despite chronic pain, include:
- the degree to which the worker’s physical functioning is impaired;
- the degree of motivation and desire to work again;
- the goals that are set, then re-set;
- the successful use of medication to stabilise or control pain;
- how far down the track the worker is, with regard to litigation, awaiting Worker’s Compensation payout or negligence legal proceedings;
- the degree of good back-up personal support the worker enjoys – nurturing/respectful treatment, or not?
- existing work skills, and scope for acquiring new work skills, through on-the-job training; and
- labour market opportunity – finding the right niche.
In summary, those workers with chronic pain who manage to return to the workforce – part time or full time – have navigated their way through this minefield.
For a worker to be ably supported and assisted in making this journey and achieving paid employment, requires an authentic, caring and respectful relationship with the helper providing occupational rehabilitation support. It is unlikely to work, if the worker’s perception is that they are being “processed” through a system, by persons “who fail to understand what it feels like for them”.
Time of Presentation
1330
