What can be done?
Evidence indicates improvements will come through:
- systematic capture of psychosocial information for individual claims, with proactive management of biopsychosocial risks
- ensuring that scheme cultures, systems and processes don't create unnecessary barriers to recovery
- scheme operations based on the values and principles of fairness, including collaboration, timeliness, trust and reciprocity, personalised and respectful communication, and empowerment of stakeholders.
Everyone can play a part in improving the way the system works for workers by caring primarily:
- Regulators can ensure scheme value and principle fundamentals are in place
- Insurers and case managers can help workers and those that can help them
- Employers can communicate with their workers and facilitate return to work
- Health care providers can deliver evidence based treatment to aid recovery.