Occupational accident workers’ path to return to work requires the concerted efforts of many professional entities. COAPRE co-hosted an occupational accident worker rehabilitation case seminar with the National Cheng Kung University Hospital on March 7, inviting occupational accident injury and disease diagnosis and treatment teams, occupational rehabilitation teams, and the Tainan City Government to discuss how to accelerate occupational accident workers’ return to work process through cross-team collaboration. More than 70 participants, including medical personnel, occupational injury and disease case managers, occupational therapists, and professional occupational accident service personnel, came together to listen and exchange experiences at the event. There were 9 more different themed case seminars after the event.
 

Forging public-private partnerships (PPPs) through COAPRE to facilitate the return to work process

Organized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the Ministry of Labor, and co-organized by COAPRE and various hospitals, the “case seminar” opened with the sharing of an occupational accident case involving a long-term care home care worker by the National Cheng Kung University Hospital. The home care worker was involved in a car accident on the way to work, resulting in multiple injuries including traumatic intracranial hemorrhage, facial bone fractures, and a left tibial plateau fracture, making it impossible for him to continue working. Despite medical treatment and rehabilitation, he still faces varying degrees of difficulties with working capacities such as walking, balancing, and lifting heavy objects. Moreover, his brain injury has caused cognitive function decline, leading to physical and cognitive impairments. As a result, he has temporarily lost confidence in regaining his health and returning to work.

After integrated discussions and evaluations, the National Cheng Kung University Hospital’s occupational injury and disease treatment and diagnosis team and occupational rehabilitation team decided the home care worker should continue undergoing medical rehabilitation. Furthermore, the working capacity reinforcement program was implemented to strengthen his physical functions. The treatments focused on balancing, lifting heavy objects, and mobility, and the results demonstrated considerable progress in lifting heavy objects with proper posture from the ground and in gait stability while carrying heavy objects with both hands. Without holding on to furniture, he was able to transition between squatting and standing positions for longer durations. At the same time, the home care worker was able to gradually recover his memory through a psychologist's cognitive training.

In addition, National Cheng Kung University Hospital’s integrated service team collaborated with the Tainan City Government’s occupational accident service team to expedite occupational accident workers’ recovery through multiple “support measures” including legal consultation, assisting with employment dispute resolution and applying for occupational rehabilitation subsidies. The purpose of these measures is to encourage occupational accident workers to continue their rehabilitation at the hospital. The impact on occupational accident workers’ lives can be effectively mitigated through cross-disciplinary collaboration between public and private sectors, while the concerted efforts of various professionals can address the physical, psychological, and social needs of occupational accident workers, leading to better rehabilitation and return to work performance.

Cross-professional integration effectively addresses factors that interfere with workers' rehabilitation

Dr. Kuo Wan-yin from the Occupational Medicine Department of Chi Mei Medical Center, problems usually arise when employers, workers, and professional teams try to work together during the return to work process. Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital therapist Chu Chuan-Man also shared that the workers’ motivation for returning to work is often the key factor influencing rehabilitation, as various problems are constantly interfering with the workers’ mindset. These non-medical factors present an enormous challenge to occupational accident workers’ return to work services. Since physicians and therapists cannot intervene in labor disputes between workers and employers, it is essential to forge cooperation between medical, rehabilitation, and local labor administration systems.

According to COAPRE Deputy CEO Wu Chen-Long, National Cheng Kung University Hospital boasts a sophisticated team with abundant experience in return to work projects, demonstrating the effectiveness of cross-professional integration. This year, COAPRE will also collaborate with the hospital specializing in occupational injury and disease diagnosis and treatment, sharing how internal and external service systems are consolidated to promote better quality teamwork.

Nine case seminars back to back - Concerted efforts in resolving return to work-related problems

Two years after COAPRE was founded, it continues to bolster collaborative networks between different service systems. The outcomes presented through case seminars demonstrate that cross-disciplinary, cross-team, and cross-professional collaboration can harness additional motivation and support for rehabilitating occupational accident workers. Currently, 36 nationally approved occupational rehabilitation professional organizations are available nationwide, all capable of providing physical and psychological working capacity reinforcement training for occupational accident workers.

This year, COAPRE conducted a nationwide tour, hosting case seminars at various medical institutions. Following the launch event held in collaboration with the National Cheng Kung University Hospital on the 7th, 9 seminars on different themes will be held consecutively. Hospitals such as Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital and Miaoli Da Chien General Hospital will share examples of occupational rehabilitation assistance. Individuals and professionals interested in the field are welcome to visit COAPRE's official website for the latest updates and registration information.(https://www.coapre.org.tw/)。