When a person is injured on the job one of the main considerations is to get that person back to work as soon as possible to help regain their emotional strength as being a productive member of the family. Sometimes occupational rehabilitation will be needed to get them back into the work force and other times, they will need to find a different occupation due to the severity of the injury.
Very few people injured on the job get excited about the prospect of being off work for an extended period of time and typically the longer a person remains off the job, the more depressed they will begin to feel. Most have a need to feel a sense of worth and occupational rehabilitation can help restore that feeling as a person heals. Whether the injury or illness has caused a need for different occupational direction will be up to the doctor and the therapists involved in occupational rehabilitation.
Typically, when a person is injured on the job, once their condition is out of the critical stage, occupational rehabilitation to return the person to the job begins. Analysis of the injury and how it affects a person s ability to perform the job functions as well as what will be needed to return the person to a condition in which they can safely perform the job will be studied.
Diagnosis Of Need Determines Therapy Direction
Once the need for therapy has been determined generally a structured program will begin to bring the person s physical abilities back to the needed strength and, if necessary, the range of motion they enjoyed prior to the accident. Several sessions of occupational rehabilitation may be needed over an extended period of time and in certain circumstances may need to be continued even after the person has returned to work.
Studies have shown that once a person has been returned to work, even if in a less than full capacity status, the remaining recovery typically progresses at a faster pace. This mental adjustment adds to the confidence of the injured person and makes them more willing to make adjustments.
When occupational rehabilitation is progressing, the company may make adjustments to the persons work environment in order to accommodate the injured person while occupational rehabilitation continues. By making these accommodations the company is telling the injured employee that they value the functions they provide and are willing to do what is necessary to help them completely recover.