The most successful rehabilitations for injured claimants are workplace-driven, according to research commissioned by AIA Australia.

“There has been increasing interest in helping people stay at work or recover at work, recognising it is better and easier to prevent unnecessary sickness absences rather than deal with them after they occur,” the report by consultant Cortex Solutions says.

“Building partnerships in return to work practice is about educating all the parties in the process.”

The report – Principles for Best Practice in Occupational Rehabilitation – is based on research by Cortex director Petrina Casey and University of Sydney Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine Ian Cameron.

It draws on data from studies around the world, and establishes six best-practice principles: that work is good for health and business; screening is part of a strategic claims management process; claimants need supporting and empowering; the right intervention is required at the right time; effective communication, collaboration and education is needed; and the focus should be on outcomes.

Ms Casey says life insurers have no strict obligation to help people return to work, but doing the right thing can be mutually beneficial.

“Life insurers can add value in helping people return to work with flexible rehabilitation services. This means building effective relationships and developing meaningful systems and processes with all clients and customers.

“Return to work should be a key outcome for all who have work incapacity and a measure of success for insurers, regardless of the cause.”

AIA Australia incoming CEO Damian Mu says the insurer has improved its rehabilitation services.

“We know getting occupational rehabilitation and early intervention right isn’t easy, but we think life insurers have an obligation to policyholders to help people get back to work.

“We’ve been conducting extensive trials and have made significant improvements during the past two years to our occupational rehabilitation program. We have helped more than 3000 people to return to work in the past two years.”