Further Information - Work 4 Health

Further Information

For more information on the services provided by Work 4 Health, including programs details, please see below:

	What Is Involved In Each Program?
	Programs Offered By Work 4 Health
	Which Patients Are Appropriate For Functional Conditioning?

About Work 4 Health Programs

	Work 4 Health specialise in the design and implementation of individualized Functional Conditioning / Hydrotherapy programs for clients who have sustained injuries as a result of workplace or motor vehicle accidents.
	Work 4 Health utilise Physiotherapists (MAPA) and Exercise Physiologists (MAESS) in achieving the most effective and efficient return to work for the injured party.
	Both the Physiotherapists and Exercise Physiologists work in unison to accurately assess and prescribed the most appropriate treatment programs based on the injured workers current physical status and their physical and functional requirements for work. Each program is designed to improve the injured party’s capacity to return to work, upgrade of certified duties, and the overall aim of returning them back to pre-injury duties / permanently modified duties.
	Programs are structured to promote self-responsibility and exercise autonomy within the injured worker. Strategies and guidance are given to the worker to help promote independence and compliance towards their rehabilitation long after the completion of the program.
	All Work 4 Health Physiotherapists and Exercise Physiologists take a cognitive Behavioral approach when treating the injured party. This approach is taken to help the injured party achieve goals by specifying steps towards them, and through systematic use of re-enforcement or encouragement for progress. Care is also taken to identify and address any ‘yellow flags’ which may delay or prevent a favorable outcome.
	Educational information is provided for the injured parties on relevant issues such as postural awareness, core stabilisation training, and correct manual handling techniques.
	Compliance to all program requirements is essential to achieve optimal program outcomes. All individuals participating in a Work 4 Health Functional Conditioning or Hydrotherapy program are informed of the importance of treatment compliance at the initial assessment. Repeated evidence of non-compliance is reported to the insurer and rehab provider and may result in termination of the program and suspension of weekly compensation benefits if deemed appropriate (as per Ch. 3, Section 57 - NSW Worker’s Compensation Act, 1998).
	Work 4 Health Functional Conditioning and Hydrotherapy programs are designed to optimize communication with all relevant parties, including the Injured worker, Insurer, NTD, Referrer, Employer, and all other treating professionals.

What Is Involved In Each Program?

Fill out the Referral form details and fax to:

Work 4 Health Pty Ltd

Fax: (02) 9771 1257

(A copy of the referral form can be found here)

Approval for an initial assessment with a Work 4 Health Physiotherapist will then be sought from the Insurer by Work 4 Health

The initial assessment will then be carried out at one of Work 4 Health’s assessment sites. This Physiotherapist will determine how many sessions will be required (and in some situations: what modality i.e. Functional conditioning, Hydrotherapy or a combination of both is necessary). These recommendations will then be outlined in a report.

Approval for the appropriate program will then be sort from the Insurer based on the recommendations outlined in the initial assessment report.

Session 1 – 6 take place at a Gymnasium / Pool convenient to the injured party’s home or work. The sessions aim to regain and upgrade the injured party’s functional capacity.

For 6 session programs, a final assessment will take place during the last session. A ‘Final Program’ report will then be written outlining any functional progress made over this period, and any ‘yellow flags’ which may be negatively affecting the expected progress. The report will also contain recommendations of possible upgrades in certified restrictions, and whether additional sessions are required.

For 12 session programs, a mid assessment will take place during the 6^th session. A ‘Mid Program’ report will then be written outlining any functional progress made over the first half of the program, and any ‘yellow flags’ which may be negatively affecting the expected progress. The report will also contain recommendations of possible upgrades in certified restrictions.

For a 12 session program, sessions 7-12 will take place at a Gymnasium / Pool convenient to the injured party’s home or work. The sessions aim to regain and upgrade the injured party’s functional capacity.

For 12 session programs, the Final assessment will then be carried out at one of Work 4 Health’s assessment sites at session 12. The Physiotherapist will write a final report outlining any functional progress made over the program, any ‘yellow flags’ which may have negatively affected the expected progress. The report will also contain recommendations of possible upgrades in certified restrictions, whether additional sessions are required, or whether alternate treatment is needed.

Note: In addition to the reports, regular phone calls will be made to update the Case Manager / Insurer / Doctor on the injured party’s progress twice a month (approx. 13^th & 26^th of each month)

Programs Offered By Work 4 Health

Initial Physical / Functional Assessment

An initial Physical / Functional assessment will be performed before every program and a report written by one of our Physiotherapists outlining the specific functional needs / aims of the program, and how many sessions will be required to achieve this.

Please note that assessments may also be performed to decide what modality of treatment is appropriate for the client. (i.e. Hydrotherapy, Functional Conditioning, or a combination of both).

After the Initial Physical/Functional assessment, one of the following programs may be recommended:

12 sessions Functional Conditioning or Hydrotherapy Program

·         12 Functional Conditioning or Hydrotherapy sessions with an Exercise

      Physiologist / Physiotherapist over a 3 month period.

·         Mid report written by the treating Exercise Physiologist.

·         Final assessment report written by the supervising Physiotherapist stating functional developments

·         In addition to the reports, regular phone calls will be made to update the case manager / insurer / doctor on the patients progress twice a month (approx. 13^th & 26^th of each month).

6 sessions Functional Conditioning or Hydrotherapy Program

·         6 Functional Conditioning or Hydrotherapy sessions with an Exercise Physiologist / Physiotherapist over a 2 month period.

·         Final report written by the treating Exercise Physiologist / Physiotherapist stating functional developments

·         In addition to the reports, regular phone calls will be made to update the case manager / insurer / doctor on the patients progress twice a month (approx. 13^th & 26^th of each month).

12 sessions Progressive Hydrotherapy to Functional Conditioning Program

·         12 Hydrotherapy / Functional Conditioning sessions with an Exercise Physiologist / Physiotherapist over a 3 month period.

·         Mid report written by the treating Exercise Physiologist.

·         Final assessment report written by the supervising Physiotherapist stating functional developments

·         In addition to the reports, regular phone calls will be made to update the case manager / insurer / doctor on the patients progress twice a month (approx. 13^th & 26^th of each month).

*Note: Work 4 Health Hydrotherapy programs differ to conventional Hydrotherapy treatment in that they understand the patients need for ‘one-to-one’ supervision to ensure individualised programs (specific to their needs and functional requirements at work) with regular technique correction as similar to a functional conditioning program. Our sessions are 60 min in length and aim to promote exercise independence, with the patients given instruction and guidance on how to perform the exercises on their own so as to continue the treatment long after program completion. In comparison, conventional Hydrotherapy treatment is approximately 30 – 40 min in length and the patient is often in a group with approximately 5 others. Thus the sessions can not be individualized.

Which Patients Are Appropriate For Functional Conditioning?

Most injured workers who are restricted from performing pre-injury duties greater than 4 weeks are most likely to benefit from this form of treatment. Other injured parties likely to benefit from this treatment also include:

	Injured workers who have progressed beyond acute treatment and now require functional physical development.
	Injured workers involved in heavy or repetitive work
	Injured workers with a lack of progress with primary care.
	Injured workers with reoccurring injuries.
	Workers who require manual handling training and technique correction.
	While highly motivated and compliant parties benefit greatly from these programs, low motivation & ‘pain focused’ injured workers also elicit benefits in performing activity.

These programs facilitate return to work through specifically targeting upgrades in their certified restrictions with an overall goal of returning them to pre-injury duties.

Further Information

	Approval for an initial assessment with a Work 4 Health Physiotherapist will then be sought from the Insurer by Work 4 Health
	The initial assessment will then be carried out at one of Work 4 Health’s assessment sites. This Physiotherapist will determine how many sessions will be required (and in some situations: what modality i.e. Functional conditioning, Hydrotherapy or a combination of both is necessary). These recommendations will then be outlined in a report.
	Approval for the appropriate program will then be sort from the Insurer based on the recommendations outlined in the initial assessment report.
	Session 1 – 6 take place at a Gymnasium / Pool convenient to the injured party’s home or work. The sessions aim to regain and upgrade the injured party’s functional capacity.
	For 6 session programs, a final assessment will take place during the last session. A ‘Final Program’ report will then be written outlining any functional progress made over this period, and any ‘yellow flags’ which may be negatively affecting the expected progress. The report will also contain recommendations of possible upgrades in certified restrictions, and whether additional sessions are required.
	For 12 session programs, a mid assessment will take place during the 6^th session. A ‘Mid Program’ report will then be written outlining any functional progress made over the first half of the program, and any ‘yellow flags’ which may be negatively affecting the expected progress. The report will also contain recommendations of possible upgrades in certified restrictions.
	For a 12 session program, sessions 7-12 will take place at a Gymnasium / Pool convenient to the injured party’s home or work. The sessions aim to regain and upgrade the injured party’s functional capacity.
	For 12 session programs, the Final assessment will then be carried out at one of Work 4 Health’s assessment sites at session 12. The Physiotherapist will write a final report outlining any functional progress made over the program, any ‘yellow flags’ which may have negatively affected the expected progress. The report will also contain recommendations of possible upgrades in certified restrictions, whether additional sessions are required, or whether alternate treatment is needed.
	Note: In addition to the reports, regular phone calls will be made to update the Case Manager / Insurer / Doctor on the injured party’s progress twice a month (approx. 13^th & 26^th of each month)