Proactive Recovery Program (PRP)

A Proactive, Evidence-Based Solution for the Prevention of Chronic Pain

At Lifeworks OT, we understand that delayed recovery and return to work (RTW) for injured workers represent a significant cost for injured workers and their families, employers and insurers. Our new program, Proactive Recovery Program (PRP), inspired by the highly successful Work Injury Screen Early (WISE) study, offers a solution that is both proactive and cost-effective.

The Problem with "Usual Care"

Traditional approaches, often called "stepped care," typically wait for a worker to show poor progress before addressing psychological and social factors. This delay allows modifiable risk factors—such as anxiety, distress, and fear-avoidance beliefs—to become entrenched. The longer a worker is off the job, the less likely they are to ever return, leading to higher claim costs and a greater risk of developing chronic pain.

Our Solution

Early Intervention, Matched to Risk

Our program is a matched-care model that leverages the proven success of the WISE protocol.

Early Screening: Using the validated Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire-Short Form (ÖMPSQ-SF), Insurers or GPs can identify workers at high risk of delayed RTW within 1-3 weeks of injury. We have an easily accessible online version of this form on our website that injured workers can complete and download the results.
Targeted Treatment: For high-risk workers, we can provide immediate access to a mental health occupational therapist or psychologist with awareness in pain management. This therapist delivers an average of 5-6 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) based sessions to directly address the identified psychosocial obstacles to recovery.
Pain-Aware Physiotherapy: This program will have the greatest chance of success with the involvement of a pain aware physiotherapist. This may be the physiotherapist already in place, the APA Pain Physiotherapist at our practice, Melanie Galbraith, or we can suggest another suitable physiotherapist in the injured worker’s local area.
Coordinated Care: This is not just about therapy; it's a collaborative system. The therapist will be available to communicate with the worker’s GP, the workplace, and the insurance case manager to ensure a unified support network. This approach has been shown to be superior for reducing lost time.

The Evidence-Based Results

The WISE study, which was implemented across public hospitals in NSW, yielded remarkable results that we aim to replicate in Western Australia:

Faster Return to Work: High-risk workers in the intervention group returned to their pre-injury duties in an average of 29 to 31 days, compared to 53 to 69 days for those receiving usual care.
Substantial Cost Savings: The intervention group's total claim costs were 30% lower at the 2-year mark. Costs for the control group continued to rise over time, while the intervention group's costs reached a plateau.

Reduced Chronic Pain: A one-year follow-up of the study found that only 11% of the intervention group developed chronic pain, compared to 36% of the control group.

For Injured Workers:

Your Path to a Quicker Recovery

Experiencing a work injury can be stressful and overwhelming. At Lifeworks OT, we believe that your well-being is our priority. Our Proactive Recovery Program is designed to give you the best chance of a fast and full recovery.

If you have a work injury and are at a higher risk of a delayed return to work, you may be invited to participate in our program. Our occupational therapist or psychologist will work with you to understand your concerns, fears, and any other factors that may be slowing your recovery. By addressing these early, we can get you back to your routine, your colleagues, and your life sooner.

Our goal is to help you safely return to work while managing your pain and building your confidence.

Reference:

Nicholas, M. K., Costa, D. S. J., Linton, S. J., Main, C. J., Shaw, W. S., Pearce, G., Gleeson, M., Pinto, R. Z., Blyth, F. M., McAuley, J. H., Smeets, R. J. E. M., & McGarity, A. (2020). Implementation of Early Intervention Protocol in Australia for 'High Risk' Injured Workers is Associated with Fewer Lost Work Days Over 2 Years Than Usual (Stepped) Care. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 30(1), 93-104.

Take the First Step

Remember, we're here to support your journey towards better pain management and improved quality of life. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.