News & Events
MEDIA RELEASE-March 11 2008
Launch of new free online service improves return to work
A new free online service aims to inform employees, employers, practitioners and insurers on the best worldwide research on workplace injury issues.
Speaking at the launch of the Return to Work Knowledge Base, Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine President Dr Tim Stewart said the initiative had the enthusiastic support of the Faculty.
“The Return to Work Knowledge Base is a fantastic resource for our specialists, as it provides them with access to the very latest in local and international research, all free and at the touch of a button.”
The Faculty’s support of working together with the key players in return to work is pararmount; with the Knowledge Base acting as the leader for change.
“I would like to congratulate ResWorks on this terrific initiative, which will help specialists, injured workers and their families and employers keep pace with return to work, an area which changes every day as we learn more and more about the complex issues involved.”
Annually, workplace injury and illness costs Australians more than $20 billion in lost productivity and medical expenses.
The Return To Work Knowledge Base is a world leading online service, providing free access to research evidence which has been translated into plain English.
Dr Mary Wyatt Chair of the Knowledge Base Project said, “The emotional, social and financial cost of workplace injury and illness to Australian workers and their families is unacceptable.”
“That is why the individual is at the heart of our initiative and is the driving force behind our work. Work injuries also have a financial cost on employers as well as the community and we want to see this improved, just as much as the workers experiences of poor outcomes that's driven us to develop the site.”
Occupational Physicians are specialists in the field of work and health and have a strong interest in reducing work disability. They see firsthand the serious consequences of people remaining off work, and appreciate the Faculty’s involvement in this project.
Research continues to show that returning to work as quickly as possible after an injury or illness results in the best health outcome for workers.
“Those not returning may face long term worklessness, which causes significant health problems. Worklessness is more dangerous than the most dangerous jobs including the construction or forestry industry,” says Dr Wyatt.
Robert Hughes, the Project Manager said, “The Knowledge Base contains over one hundred articles covering medical factors, the consequences of being out of work, workplace management models, attitudinal factors and return to work approaches.”
The Return To Work Knowledge Base was developed by ResWorks - The Foundation for Research into Injury and Illness in the Workplace, on behalf of WorkSafe Victoria’s RTW Fund.
Dr Wyatt said, “The Return To Work Knowledge Base was developed with the support and assistance of workers, employers, insurers and medical practitioners.”
“Representatives of these groups participated in a series of focus groups to identify appropriate research material and resources for the site.”
Hughes said, “The Return To Work Knowledge Base publishes the best available research on the subject in an easy to read format. It provides practical tools and resources to achieve positive outcomes.”
ResWorks objective is to further knowledge, establish evidence based interventions and advocate cultural development that has practical benefits.
ResWorks members are leaders in occupational medicine and research, WorkCover policy, law and are committed to the development of best practice, healthy workplace culture and successful return to work outcomes
For further information or comment, please contact:
Scott Peters
Marketing Manager
ResWorks - The Foundation for Illness and Injury in the Workplace Inc.
492 St.Kilda Rd
MelbourneVic 3004
PH: 03 9867 4116
M: 0431 958 896
FAX: 03 9866 6428
E: ScottPeters@workmedicine.com.au
www.rtwknowledge.org ( http://www.rtwknowledge.org/ )
Upcoming training courses-Medical Review Officer
Part 99 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations will require the aviation industry to have drug and alcohol management programmes, which include a component of testing. The regulations require the interpretation of drug testing by medical practitioners to provide probity and rigour to the testing process. CASA recognises that there are currently very few doctors with these skills, and so are arranging for specialists from the USA to offer the MROCC course and exam (that is normally offered in the USA).
The course will enable all attendees to attain a US MRO qualification. Not only, is the course useful for aviation industry work, but it may have immediate utility for multinational organisations, many of whom are used to the need for an MRO (as these are required in the USA as well as in Europe). For details of the course offered see www.mrocc.com . The attached flier offers details of the courses being facilitated by CASA, including location, dates, times, and contact details for expressing interest.
ANZSOM ASM 2008
The 2008 ANZSOM ASM is being held from 27-29 August 2008 in Darwin. For further information please click on the following link:
Papers are currently being sought for this ASM. For further information please click on the following link: ANZSOM ASM 2008
Statistical Genetics Short Course - Coolanagatta 1st to 5th September 2008
This intensive course will cover state-of-the-art statistical genetics methods for detection of genetic loci for complex traits, either qualitative or quantitative. For further information click on the following flyer: Genetics Course
To register click on the following flyer: Registration Flyer
3rd Australian and New Zealand Falls Prevention (ANZFP) Conference
The conference will showcase the latest research outcomes, program implementation, training, and policy and planning innovations in falls prevention in Australia, New Zealand and internationally. The conference will be complemented with a number of practical workshops to support skill development and training in key areas of successful falls prevention implementation.
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION AND REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE. Please click on the following links:
ICOH 2009 News Update 
The 29th International Congress on Occupational Health (ICOH) will be held in Cape Town, South Africa from 22-27 March 2009. For further information visit the website at: https://www.givengain.com/cgi-bin/giga.cgi?c=1600
AMC Media Release
For information on the recent AMC Media Release, please click on the following link: AMC Media Release
Establishment of the Centre for Health Record Linkage (CHeReL)
The purpose of CHeReL is to support health research and planning and evaluation of health services in NSW and the ACT. For further information click on the following brochure: CHeReL brochure or go to their website at: www.cherel.org.au
RTW Knowledge Base 
To view articles relating to AFOEM please click on the following links: