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Transitional Return-to-Work Programs: Occupational Therapy Services at The Workplace

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18 views2 pages

Transitional Return-to-Work Programs: Occupational Therapy Services at The Workplace

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cp
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Fact Sheet

Occupational Therapy Services at the Workplace:


Transitional Return-to-Work Programs
Occupational therapy practitioners help individuals with illness and/
or injury resume work duties on a gradual basis through transitional
work. Transitional work uses the actual work tasks and environments as
a form of rehabilitation. After becoming familiar with the individual’s
job requirements and measuring his or her functional abilities, the
occupational therapist determines tasks that the individual can safely
and dependably perform at work. The occupational therapist works with
the employer to identify environmental and task modifications that will
support work performance. The occupational therapist makes detailed
recommendations to the treating physician, who releases the individual
to modified work within the parameters outlined by the occupational
therapist. Work performance is closely monitored and discussed among
the occupational therapist, employer, and individual. As tolerance
increases, work tasks are advanced to match the individual’s abilities
until maximum recovery is achieved. Full duty work is the ultimate goal;
however, this may not be achievable.

Occupational Therapists Are Uniquely Qualified To


Design and Oversee Transitional Work Programs
Work performance is within the domain of services that all occupational
therapy professionals are trained to assess. Occupational therapists have
the unique combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities to address the
wide range of physiological, biomechanical, cognitive, and psychosocial
functions of an individual. As health care professionals, occupational
therapists understand the effect of a wide range of health conditions on the body systems. Occupational therapists are
trained to evaluate the individual’s motor, physical, psychological, and cognitive body functions and to compare the
individual’s functional abilities to those required by the job. In addition, occupational therapists have the observational
skills, training, and expertise to perform complex task analysis and assessment of the environmental factors affecting work
performance.

Where Are Transitional Work Programs Provided?


Transition-to-work services are performed at the workplace; however, evaluation in a clinical setting is usually done prior
to the individual returning to work. The occupational therapist performing the transitional work program interventions
may be employed by a medical clinic, hospital, or company, or may be a consultant to the employer or industry. The
occupational therapist collaborates closely with the individual, employer, and treating physician throughout the return-to-
work transitional program.

Who Can Benefit From Transitional Work Services?


Individuals with injuries, illnesses, and chronic health conditions who have recuperated to the point that workplace
participation is not contraindicated can benefit from these services. The individual must be capable of resuming some
form of modified work and must be able to tolerate the environmental demands of the workplace. The individual must be
capable of self-regulating and negotiating the environment with his or her symptoms in order to safely return to work.

www.aota.org
4720 Montgomery Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814-3425
Phone: 301-652-2682 TDD: 800-377-8555 Fax: 301-652-7711
What Are the Benefits of Transitional Work?
Transitional work can provide many benefits to the individual. The individual begins to envision him- or herself as
a competent worker able to resume meaningful work roles and responsibilities. Normal routines and habits can be
maintained. Damaged body structures have time to heal while still allowing for activity that prevents deconditioning
due to disuse. The functional abilities necessary to perform a job, such as strength, endurance, mobility, manipulation,
emotional tolerance, and cognition can improve due to participation in work activities. When the individual is able to
perform modified work tasks successfully, confidence in his or her ability to work increases. The individual can learn how
to compensate for limited functional abilities through environmental and task modifications. Return to work can decrease
long-term residual functional limitations and disability. Improved abilities can carry over to other meaningful occupations
performed at home and in the community, including activities of daily living, rest and sleep, leisure, home management,
and community participation.

The employer can also benefit because the individual returns to work and/or the regular job duties more quickly and safely.
Expenses due to training new workers and decreased productivity are minimized. If the injury or illness is work related,
temporary total disability payments for lost work time can be reduced. Residual functional limitations may be lower,
resulting in decreased permanent partial disability settlements if the condition is work related. The employer is assured that
the individual has the required performance skills and is able to safely meet the essential functions of the job. Long-term
related health conditions may also be minimized, preventing future problems. The worker remains active in the workplace,
which can prevent loss of the worker role and maintain adaptive work habits and routines necessary for employment.

Who Pays For Transitional Work Services?


Workers’ compensation insurance plans, employers, individual health insurance plans, and state and/or local agencies can
pay for transitional work services.

What Does the Future Hold?


Changes in the workforce will continue to affect how injured workers are treated and return to work. Decreasing numbers
of skilled workers and the increasing use of temporary workers, the aging workforce, and a labor market shift to include
equal proportions of males and females affect work-based rehabilitation. The challenge for administrators of future
transitional work programs and work rehabilitation in general will be to devise new strategies to address the changes and
emerging trends in the workforce.

Conclusion
Transitional work services can be a win-win situation for the individual and employer. The occupational therapist oversees
transitional return-to-work services with a close collaboration among the individual, employer, and medical treatment
team.

Developed by Vicki Kaskutas, OTD, MHS, OT/L; Michael Gerg, MS, OTR/L, CHT, CEES, CWCE; Faye Fick, MS, OTR/L; and Julie Dorsey, MS, OTR/L, CEAS, for
the American Occupational Therapy Association. Copyright © 2012 by the American Occupational Therapy Association. This material may be copied and
distributed for personal or educational uses without written consent. For all other uses, contact copyright@aota.org.

Occupational therapy enables people of all ages live life to its fullest by helping them to promote health, make lifestyle or
environmental changes, and prevent—or live better with—injury, illness, or disability. By looking at the whole picture—a client’s
psychological, physical, emotional, and social make-up—occupational therapy assists people to achieve their goals, function at
the highest possible level, maintain or rebuild their independence, and participate in the everyday activities of life.

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