Why Return-to-Work Screening is Important
We asked Atlas Physical Therapist Sara why return-to-work screens are important.
“When workers miss time at work for any reason there is a loss of physical conditioning. If their time away from work is due to injury there is around a 50% chance, they will have another injury in the work place according to multiple studies. (Reinjury Rate Paper) This means that testing their true capacity and supporting them when they return to the job is crucial to reduce this risk.
Many times, when the injury is work related the emphasis from the company and the medical providers is focused only on the area of injury. However, time away from work can lead to multiple areas of deconditioning that need to be addressed at the same time. Having an onsite provider that is knowledgeable about the inner workings and demands placed on employees is vital. They can look at the whole picture and implement modifications or training programs to make the worker completely ready in all aspects of their physical and mental health.
This onsite person is also able to support the employee once they have returned to the job whether it is in creation of recovery routines, progressive strengthening or help addressing other aches and pains that come up. When someone increases their physical activity there are always aches and discomforts that appear. Having someone readily available to evaluate and respond to these concerns and triage appropriately can prevent new or reinjury from occurring verse the employee just trying to self-manage, going back to no work, or leaving it be and developing a greater risk of injury.”
Sara makes several great points on the importance of return-to-work screens. If you’re looking for a return-to-work physical ability screening solution to set up returning workers for maximum success, contact us today.
