ACOEMs RTW Statement Highlights
ACOEM’s RTW Statement Highlights
April 1, 2003 less than 1 minute read
ACOEM’s RTW Statement Highlights
Developing return-to-work plans:
- Early in the course of treatment, the physician should discuss with the patient expected healing and recovery times as well as the positive role of an early, graduated increase in activity on physical and psychological healing.
- The physician should be familiar with the family and community support systems available to the patient. The physician should also be aware of the patient’s general responsibilities at home and specific responsibilities at work.
- The physician should facilitate the patient’s return to work and activity at home by encouraging communication between the patient and his or her employer early in treatment or rehabilitation.
- The physician should identify and address potential obstacles to the recovery of function and return to work as soon as possible.
- When the physician believes that the patient has recovered sufficiently and can return safely to some form of productive work, the patient/ employee should be clearly informed of this judgment and advised that despite continuing symptoms, resuming normal activities is an important part of the rehabilitation process.
- The physician should counsel the patient and the employer about protective and preventive strategies to use at work, when appropriate.
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