WorkSafe

Work Science
Dr. James Mason (centre), a former physician
with Care Point clinic in Coquitlam, took part
in a Doctor Outreach event in January as part
of the launch of an on-site worker recovery
centre in Port Moody, B.C.
Doctors vital to
on-the-job recovery
By Gail Johnson
When a worker gets hurt on the job, family
physicians can play a key role in safely
helping that person get back to work —
and remain healthy and productive in the
long term.
Yet, despite good intentions and the decades-old ethos
of “doctor knows best,” doctors’ knowledge about
worker recovery, stay at work (SAW) or return to work
(RTW), and prevention of work-related disability is
frequently limited.
A new research project aims to change that.
“Enhancing Physicians’ Knowledge and Skills on
SAW/RTW, Disability Prevention, and Management”
is a study designed to give primary care physicians
throughout B.C. the skills and tools they need to help
to better manage patients’ medical leave, and set
reasonable expectations around staying at work or
returning to work — all for a safe and smooth transition
for workers and their employers.
The project, funded by WorkSafeBC and conducted by
the University of B.C.’s Faculty of Medicine’s Division
of Continuing Professional Development and the BC
Collaborative for Disability Prevention, aims to fill a
gap: medical students and practising doctors typically
receive little to no education related to unnecessarily
prolonged absences from work, as well as stay-at-work
or return-to-work programs.
That gap is gradually closing, says Dr. Peter Rothfels,
WorkSafeBC chief medical officer and director of
clinical services.
September / October 2015 | WorkSafe Magazine 21