Return-to-Work

We've provided this section so you can better understand how your input for return-to-work relates to our part in that transition process… and how we work with you and the employer to ensure we establish the best and most appropriate way to get your patient back to the workplace safely and appropriately.

Return-to-work is:

• part of the treatment plan. We will ask you to set a potential return-to-work date as one of your patient's goals, and to plan for a date as early as possible during treatment. This approach allows us to coordinate resources and plan the least stressful transition for your patient.
• acceptable if all therapy is not complete. Continuation of treatment and transitional return-to-work can occur simultaneously.
• not required to occur on a Monday. It is often easier for patients to return to the job in the middle of the week rather trying to handle a full week right away. For example, if you set a Monday as the return-to-work date, we may suggest the previous Thursday.

As the physician, you may not be familiar with the specific demands of your patient's work. To help you assess your patient's ability to function at work, we can provide you the necessary information from one or more valuable sources, including:

• the patient's job description from the employer;
• a job demand analysis performed by the employer; or
• the Dictionary of Occupational Titles by the U.S. Department of Labor.