General practitioners (GPs): Your role in return to work

What is a GPs role in return to work care?

GPs play a central role in managing an injured worker's health and wellbeing and are vital in influencing health and return to work outcomes.

In most cases, an injured worker will rely on their GP for advice, coordinating medical treatment and services, and to assist with their overall recovery, rehabilitation and return to work.

This includes:

• Monitoring and reviewing progress.
• Prescribing safe and clinically appropriate medications in accordance with WorkSafe’s pharmacy policy.
• Referring to other healthcare services and monitoring the effectiveness of these services.
• Discussing the health benefits of safe work and emphasising that work is an integral part of recovery.
• Assessing and certifying capacity and completing the certificate of capacity.
• Identifying any barriers to return to work.
• Communicating a patient’s capacity with their employer.

Navigating the return to work process

General practitioners play a central role in managing an injured worker's health and wellbeing and are vital in influencing health and return to work outcomes.

Support your patients back to work

This video is a guide to help you talk about return to work options and support your patients back to safe work.

If you’re interested in learning more about your role in return to work, special training programs for GPs are offered by Personal Injury Education Foundation.