Compensable injury
General practitioners activate the pathway to recovery
Research shows that good work is good for your health, and that return to work (RTW) after an injury can promote recovery. General Practitioners (GPs) play a critical role in the RTW.
The Department of General Practice undertakes research in the following RTW areas:
Road traffic crash injuries
We do not yet have a good understanding of return to work (RTW) practices for people who have had a minor road traffic injury (RTI). We do know, however, that the types of injuries sustained during a RTI or those that develop as a secondary illness, such as chronic pain and long-term disability, (e.g. ongoing mental health problems), commonly result in work restrictions. We recently investigated the care provided by GPs to patients following a minor RTI. We found that GPs had a moderate to good level of knowledge about the management of two common injuries following RTI - whiplash associated disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. However, GPs who had poor knowledge of PTSD also lacked the confidence to diagnose this condition. We are now looking for ways to improve the care provided by GPs for people following road traffic crash injuries.
Centre of Research Excellence in Recovery following Road Traffic Injuries (CRERTI)
2015 - 2020
The CRERTI is supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council
Chief Investigator: Professor Michele Stirling, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Recovery Following Road Traffic Injuries
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General Practitioners’ Prevention and Management of Road Traffic Crash Injuries (GRIP)
2014 - 2015
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Queensland Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) from 1 January 2014 to 1 June 2015, $60,000
Chief Investigator: Danielle Mazza, Department of General Practice, Monash University
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Work-related injuries
Research shows that good work is good for your health, and that return to work (RTW) after an injury can promote recovery. General Practitioners (GPs) play a critical role in the RTW process in both the TAC and WorkSafe compensation systems. In our previous research projects we have studied the attitudes and behaviours of GPs in consultations with TAC clients and injured workers. We discovered that the Certificate of Capacity was problematic, and that GPs role in the compensation process was confusing to the injured workers and the GPs themselves. A redesigned Certificate of Capacity is now in use, and we are looking at ways to help GPs play a more clearly defined role in RTW.
Creating clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of work-related mental health conditions
2016 - 2019
This project is funded by the Department of Employment and Comcare, Queensland Treasury-Department of Industrial Relations, State Insurance Regulatory Authority, ReturnToWorkSA, and WorkCover WA, via the Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research, $850,267
Chief Investigator: Professor Danielle Mazza, Department of General Practice, Monash University
The draft Clinical Guidelines, draft Technical Report and draft Implementation Plans are now available for public consultation. Click here for more information
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Evaluation of a certificate of capacity
Completed 2016
WorkSafeVictoria and the Transport Accident Commission via the Institute of Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research provided $42,181 to support this study.
Chief Investigator: Professor Danielle Mazza, Department of General Practice, Monash University
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Fit-to-work: General Practitioners Facilitating Injured Workers Return to Work
Completed
Victorian WorkCover Authority (VWA) via the Institute of Safety Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR) provided $150,000 to support this project
Chief Investigator: Professor Danielle Mazza, Department of General Practice, Monash University-
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Health Benefits of Safe Work Evaluation Plan: GP Partnerships and Engagement & Redesign Certificate of Capacity
Completed
Victorian WorkCover Authority (VWA) and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) through the Institute of Safety Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR) provided $49,070 to support this project
Chief Investigator: Professor Danielle Mazza, Department of General Practice, Monash University
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