IMPROve

Experiencing a workplace injury can be a highly distressing experience, causing significant disruptions to a person’s life. Recent NSW Workers Compensation data shows that an increasing proportion of workplace injuries are psychological in nature (e.g. stress- and trauma-related disorders) (1), and that these types of injuries present substantial challenges in terms of a person’s recovery and return to work journey. While most people whose workplace injury is physical (85%) resume work within 13 weeks of injury, only 39% of people with a psychological injury are able to return to work within the same timeframe (1). Psychological injuries are associated with greater time off work, and approximately 40% of people who have experienced a psychological injury in the workplace remain unable to return to work for one year or more after their injury (compared with 8% for non-psychological injuries) (1). These findings are particularly concerning given that non-return to the workforce after injury has considerable negative socioeconomic and psychological impacts on the injured worker, as well as broader societal costs (2).

Insurance providers play an important role in supporting an individual’s return to work and recovery following identification of a work-related psychological injury. In order to better understand and address the unique challenges faced by individuals experiencing a psychological injury, CRI is working with QBE Insurance to identify key modifiable factors within the claims management process that influence recovery and return to work outcomes. This will facilitate identification of opportunities for early intervention and improvement in psychological injury claims management, to support QBE’s goal of achieving the best possible outcomes for injured workers.