Work-related musculoskeletal injuries are a major burden on modern workplaces and the Australian economy.
For therapists such as physiotherapists, workplace injuries represent a complex patient group that often fails to follow expected recovery timeframes (average workdays lost per injury in QLD = 72 days).
For workers, an injury—physical or mental—represents a major threat to income, job security, workplace relationships, and identity.
For workplaces, work-related injuries are costly, with the average WorkCover claim in QLD costing approximately $28,000. Additional financial costs include higher insurance premiums, staff retraining, and reduced productivity.
Intangible costs—such as lower morale and staff burnout—can further impact workplace safety and psychosocial culture.
We know workplace injuries are complex and multifactorial; therefore, a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan that extends beyond conventional musculoskeletal care is essential.
So, what does this look like? And how can physiotherapists lead in this space to enhance return-to-work outcomes?
- Psychosocial Screening
Validated screening tools such as the Orebro Short Form 10 (OMPSQ-SF) should be used early in the treatment process.
These tools identify psychosocial barriers to return to work—such as unhelpful pain beliefs, low self-efficacy, and anxiety or depression—allowing early, targeted intervention.
- Goal-Oriented Rehabilitation
SMART goals should be used across short-, medium-, and long-term timeframes, with a strong focus on function.
Establishing an achievable short-term goal is critical to building momentum and confidence. This may be as simple as increasing sitting tolerance to enable a return to modified, sedentary duties.
- Communication is Key
Finding time for administrative tasks can be challenging. However, effective communication ultimately saves time and is essential for maintaining progress and building worker confidence.
Early engagement with key stakeholders should include:
- Workplace—to identify suitable duties and address barriers to return to work
- Rehabilitation coordinators—to provide updates on progress and support requirements
- GPs—to inform work capacity certificates and facilitate referrals if required
The Functional Ability Tool (FAB Tool) is a valuable resource for clearly communicating functional capacity to both GPs and employers, supporting informed return-to-work decisions.
- Focus on Function
Treatment should be job-specific and functionally driven.
Over-reliance on passive treatments—such as massage and ultrasound—should be minimised in favour of active, goal-directed rehabilitation.
- Early Return to Work
Evidence consistently shows that the longer a worker remains off work, the lower the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Collaborating with the worker to understand job demands—and identifying realistic, meaningful duties—helps ensure steady progress toward return to work.
Physiotherapists with training in occupational health and ergonomics are well positioned to lead in this space—delivering care that extends far beyond standard assessment and exercise prescription.
If you’re an injured worker or an organisation looking to improve outcomes, engage a physiotherapist who:
- incorporates psychosocial screening
- sets collaborative, functional goals
- communicates effectively with all stakeholders
These elements are critical to achieving safe, timely, and sustainable return-to-work outcomes.
