Occupational Therapists have been supporting patients in the workplace for over 20 years; offering a unique perspective to employee health and wellbeing by combining environmental adaptations with physical rehabilitation.
Research shows that after only six weeks of sickness absence, a person’s ability to return to work falls away rapidly. Almost one in five people who reach this point will stay off work sick and eventually leave paid employment. Occupational Therapists at Group Rehab receive referrals from inpatient settings, outpatient clinics and primary care. However, referrals are often considered too late and outside the optimum window of opportunity. We hope that the promotion of services will lead to more timely and appropriate referrals.
Research shows that work is generally good for health and wellbeing, providing the work is ‘good’. To date there is insufficient research to define ‘good work’. Therapists at Group Rehabilitation believe that good work will mean different things to different people, depending largely on their capacity, interests and skills base.
Services at Group Rehabilitation
The service provided by Occupational Therapists at Group Rehabilitation aims to address the multiple factors which impact on a successful and timely return-to-work. The referral does not need to specify which of the interventions is required as this will be determined on their initial assessment with an Occupational Therapist. Interventions can include one of more of the following:
- Assessment of functional capacity: if the patient is already employed, the assessment will be job specific and will be completed to inform towards the most appropriate work-related duties and adjustments. If the patient is unemployed, the assessment will be generic and will identify which roles will suit their current physical capacity. Patients will be re-assessed at regular intervals if attending for rehabilitation.
- Rehabilitation attendance: Based on assessments of physical capacity and the patients’ description of work-related tasks, patients will be set a programme of exercise and work simulation. The BTE Primus RS allows for the simulation and objective measure of most work-related tasks e.g. hand tools, lifting and machine operations. Find out more about how we use the BTE Primus here: download BTE referrer form [pdf] 539KB (opens in new window) >
- Facilitate communication between the patient and employee: this can be face-to-face during workplace assessments or written correspondence. Typically this will be providing advice on reasonable adjustments, phased returns and condition management.
- Workplace assessments: are undertaken if work-related tasks cannot be simulated in the gym environment or face-to-face contact with the employer is required. Workplace assessments also identify environmental barriers in returning to work.
- Communication with stakeholders: as an essential stakeholder, all reports and letters will be sent to the GP to inform towards fit note certification
- Long-term management: therapists will explore options for self-management with patients ahead of discharge. This will include access to local facilities and community groups, but also on how they can increase their own activity levels in day to day living.