Navigating the return to work (RTW) process for clients with complex medical backgrounds requires more than a singular approach; it necessitates a collaborative effort that brings together diverse expertise.At Specialised Health, we deeply value the synergy created by working alongside other health professionals, one of our favourites being Occupational Therapists (OTs)!
This partnership enables us to develop comprehensive, client-centred strategies that consider all facets of a person’s recovery and work readiness. Today, we’re excited to share this story that exemplifies the synergy when the two professions combine.
Meet “Karl”
Karl was referred to us by his case manager after a year of intensive cancer treatment. He had finished treatment but was struggling with severe fatigue impacting both physical and cognitive functions, and muscular limitations resulting from surgeries. Employed in a demanding role that typically required 60+ hours per week on an offshore platform, Karl’s journey back to work was set to be a challenging one—compounded by his employer’s requirement that he must reach full capacity before returning.
Phase One: The Basics
As always, we started by covering the basics to develop a baseline of physical and cognitive function, including pacing, mobility work, gradual strengthening, and cognitive retraining. We focused on smoothing out activity “booms and busts”, successfully increasing activity while mitigating fatigue, and achieving near-capacity lifting. At the 12-week mark, Karl had surpassed our initial goal of helping him to achieve 20 hours of certified capacity, indicating a good amount of work readiness. Although there was still a gap to full-time capacity, he was on a positive trajectory toward a full return.
Phase Two: Mimicking Workplace Tasks
Because the employer did not want a gradual return, we then moved on to mimicking workplace tasks at home, creating “shifts” on his lifestyle block and for friends as a volunteer. Although effective, it was clear that the most beneficial path forward for Karl would be a graduated return to work. At this stage, we spoke with the insurer about the employer’s requirements and decided that an Occupational Therapist (OT) was the best person to handle communication with the employer and negotiate a feasible form of work reintegration.
Phase Three: OT!
The OT’s role was pivotal. Despite the employer’s initial requirement for a full-time return, the OT negotiated for a partial return. They communicated with the employer to determine what a practical (and safe) partial return would entail from their perspective, and coordinated with our Exercise Physiologist to align this with Karl’s capabilities. After some diligent negotiation, a return to work plan was crafted, taking into consideration the needs of both Karl and his employer.
We continued our work with Karl while the plan was being finalised. When everything was in place, we set Karl up with an independent rehabilitation program to run concurrently with his gradual return to work, which the OT was on hand to oversee and provide support on. This plan ensured continuity in recovery while he began to reintegrate, providing a scaffolded approach to returning to full duties.
Collaboration for the Win!
Karl’s successful return to work highlights the strength of integrating diverse health disciplines, where each provider brings specific expertise to the table. By collaborating, we can each focus on our strengths, ensuring that our collective efforts are not only more effective but also tailored to provide the best possible care and outcomes.
Author: Tessa Nielsen Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Content Creator at Specialised Health
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