Corey is a 31 year old civil labourer who sustained an injury to his left arm while using a grinder in an overhead position. At the end of his workers' compensation claim Corey had no job to return to and was unable to return to work in a heavy manual labouring position due to his injury.
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Q-COMP Rehabilitation Report.
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Over the past few years it seems that the mention of workplace injury in varying forums is inevitably accompanied by the words "psychological injury". Just the mere mention of this type of injury often sends shivers up the spines of those managing these claims - and for good reason.
Psychological/psychiatric claims are growing at a rate faster than that of physical claims, with the growth primarily from the non-government sector. Psychological claims are the most expensive with an average time lost claim costing $32,670 - this is almost three times the scheme average of $11,734. Although a large number of psychological claims are rejected they are still the most expensive and costly in both time and resources.
To help employers, supervisors and RRTWCs manage these injuries in their workplace, Q-COMP's Education Promotion Team have started workshops across the state to help increase understanding of what a psychological injury/disorder is, along with some basic strategies to help support those with a psychological condition.
For details on upcoming workshops in your area visit qcomp.com.au
Sonia says:
Thanks Dan for your great feedback. We have received excellent feedback regarding this workshop and will continue to run forums at the Gold Coast and other regions as needed. We will be sending out an on-line survey in the next week asking for feedback regarding other topics that you might like to attend so would appreciate your feedback on this survey as well.
Dan Trestrail says:
Hello, feedback on "Normal is just a setting on a washing machine - exploring the concepts of mental health" with Allicia Bailey and co... It was great to get some real world info on mential health & well being. This area is severly underdone in communications and culture. The more Qcomp can lead with this the more likely awareness and perception will change. I would like to see Allicia's seminar with the psych from the Gold Coast(cant remember her name) running a few times a year - and heavily promoted. Regards, Dan
Libby says:
Congratulations on providing this training. It sounds like a great initiative. I was concerned however when I read about this course in the Rehab Report with the following sentence: "Just the mere mention of this type of injury often sends shivers up the spines of those managing these claims - and for good reason." Is this the sort of attitude to psychological injury QComp should be promoting? Doesn't this add to the fears and concerns about this type of injury?
Leesh says:
Thank you very much for taking the time to write to us about this article that featured in the Q-COMP Autumn Report. I completely understand your concern about the selected wording of this sentence. The intent of this comment was to show support for our rehabilitation & return to work coordinators who manage these claims by acknowledging that psychological claims have become an increased trend within the Queensland worker's compensation scheme. The specific wording "…and for good reason" was directed to the lack of knowledge that some rehabilitation and return to work coordinators attain when it comes to mental health and mental illness and therefore, how being confronted with the task of managing these injuries may potentially be an intimidating experience. It by no means was directed to the complexity of the individuals who are experiencing mental illnesses or mental health problems. After reading your feedback, I can appreciate how this comment may be interpreted this way and we apologise if you have been offended by the comment. Q-COMP is extremely passionate and committed to providing the utmost support for any injured worker and stakeholder within the worker's compensation scheme, regardless of their type of injury. This workshop specifically aims to provide rehabilitation and return to work coordinators with a general understanding of psychological injuries and the differentiation between mental health and mental illness to ensure that injured workers with these injuries receive the superior support that they deserve.