Altius Group’s team of psychologists has developed a program specifically aimed at building motivation and addressing the barriers impacting a successful return to work.
Altius Group’s team of psychologists has developed a program specifically aimed at building motivation and addressing the barriers impacting a successful return to work.
Altius Group Rehabilitation Consultant, Krista Armstrong, says "The Enhanced Recovery Program fills an otherwise glaring gap in the return to work industry. Identification and treatment of psychosocial factors surrounding an injury is a key issue for a successful return to work following injury”.
Results of the Enhanced Recovery Program Pilot showed at risk clients, who participated fully in the program, achieved a return to work in 62% of cases.
The program is delivered by PeopleSense by Altius psychologists – who apply evidence based, best practice interventions. Our psychologists work alongside physiotherapy specialists, as part of a holistic approach to rehabilitation.
The program’s success stems from its focus on setting individual goals and tailoring support, based on cognitive behaviour therapy, to address psychological barriers and build motivation to return to work.
What is the Enhanced Recovery Program?
Altius Group’s Enhanced Recovery Program is a goal focused, early intervention program typically delivered over 4-6 sessions by a trained psychologist.
The program aims to identify and address an individual’s barriers quickly and efficiently so that the employee can return to normal functioning and work without delay. The program is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, applying evidence-based and best practice interventions, while complementing a concurrent physical based therapy program and assisting with occupational rehabilitation. Structured program modules address pain management, adjustment to injury, anxiety disorders and reactive depression, poor coping, poor health and decreased motivation.
What are the Main Aims of the Program?
The Enhanced Recovery Program aims to:
- Increase the injured employee’s understanding of their injury and pain.
- Increase their work capacity by focusing on goal setting for wellbeing and functional improvements.
- Increase their engagement in physiotherapy and their rehabilitation.
- Increase their general activity levels.
- Reduce the risk of substance abuse and reliance on medication.
- Increase the employee’s likelihood to return to work or achieve a functional upgrade.
Krista says, “We are seeing some very positive return to work outcomes through the Enhanced Recovery Program” and she would like to share one client’s story with you.
