Physiotherapists are ideally placed to help people return to work following illness, injury or intervention. This short paper includes guidance for CSP members who are advising on fitness for work.
Physiotherapy Works
Physiotherapists can offer advice and support to people returning to work along with other activities which promote activity and a sense of self-worth.
The guidance is relevant to all physiotherapy staff working with working-age adults.
It has been written to support physiotherapy staff working in all sectors to help you understand the responsibilities and opportunities when considering work as a health outcome.
Work can meet important biopsychosocial needs, and links to physical and mental health for morbidity and mortality. Unemployment is detrimental to good health, as is ‘poor quality’ unemployment.
The importance of physiotherapy for a healthy workforce
There are strong government drives across the UK to prevent and reduce sickness absence. Musculoskeletal disorders, together with stress, anxiety and depression account for a high level of sickness absence in the UK workforce.
Physiotherapists, skilled at supporting service users’ recovery and rehabilitation, are ideally placed to support people to remain in or return to work following illness, injury or intervention.
There is potential for physiotherapy to have an increasing role in helping employees of all ages to maintain their fitness for work.
As people work longer due to the rising age of retirement, helping them to manage their increasing long-term conditions and comorbidities will also support employers, businesses and the wider UK economy as a result.(10)
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