Medical case conference involvement and how to contribute to recovery as an employer

Key takeaways

The purpose of medical case conferences

Who can be involved in a medical case conference?

What may be discussed at a medical case conference?

How to participate as an employer

The purpose of medical case conferences

Medical case conferences bring together the injured worker, the nominated treating doctor (NTD) and other parties such as the employer, workplace rehabilitation provider and claims service provider (CSP) to discuss how to deliver the best possible recovery and return-to-work outcomes for your injured worker.

Medical case conferences are designed to facilitate communication between stakeholders to identify goals, discuss any barriers and identify agreed strategies to achieve a supportive and sustainable return to work.

Who can be involved in a medical case conference?

The main stakeholders who may participate in a medical case conference are:

• injured worker
• nominated treating doctor (NTD)
• claims service provider (CSP) case manager
• where appropriate, yourself as an employer
• workplace rehabilitation provider (if involved)
• treatment provider (for example psychologist).

The purpose of the medical case conference and the agenda will determine which stakeholders need to be involved. If return to work is the main topic to be discussed, it may be appropriate for the injured worker, the NTD, the case manager, the workplace rehabilitation provider (if involved) and yourself as the employer attends. Each stakeholder involved should be able to contribute meaningfully to the discussions.

In some situations, the worker may also seek to have someone else present with them as support such as a friend or family member.

What may be discussed at a medical case conference?

The types of issues that may be discussed at a case conference include:

• the worker's capacity for work
• the worker's progress and treatment plan
• the return-to-work goal
• the duties the employer is able to provide to the worker (suitable duties)
• any workplace support and modifications the worker needs to return to work
• any barriers preventing a return to work
• the worker's prognosis.

How to participate as an employer

Participating in medical case conferences can assist with developing trust and rapport with all stakeholders, as it provides the opportunity to demonstrate that you really do care and are genuinely there to support your worker.

Engaging in conversations with all stakeholders present also allows the injured worker to discuss any issues they have.  It’s important to approach these medical case conferences with an open, non-judgemental mindset.

Below are some key points to consider when participating in a medical case conference:

• Practice active listening.
• Practice empathy.
• Ask how you can best support the worker's recovery.
• Ask if there is any assistance or workplace adjustment that could assist the worker in performing their job.
• Where possible, focus on what your worker can achieve, rather than what they can't.
• Come prepared with information on ways in which the company can facilitate a return to work. For example, is a graded return to work possible, or a change of work location, or flexibility in duties?
• If appropriate, ask if the worker would still like to be involved in workplace social events.
• Ask if the worker would like regular check-ins with someone from the company. If so, develop an appropriate communication plan.