Prof. Michael Nicholas will present research from the Pain Management Research Institute at the University of Sydney on the use of a brief psychosocial risk factor screening tool, coupled with a short interview, within the first week or two after a workplace injury can help a clinician to work out a tailored intervention with the injured workers. It also helps if the screening and tailored interventions are done with the supportive involvement of other healthcare providers, as well as the workplace and insurer. Likely outcomes include more rapid RTW, better mental health outcomes for the workers, and reduced costs compared to uncoordinated ‘wait and see’ approaches.

Two Australian studies, led by Professor Nicholas, with injured workers covered by compensation insurance in different work settings and with different treatment providers, have demonstrated consistent and beneficial outcomes are possible. Key lessons from these studies, and others in the literature, will be discussed.