The challenge - Creating a successful return to work
The average claimant is likely to require two years of financial support prior to being able to return to work. There is evidence to show that long-term or permanent disability may result if the claimant’s physical and mental wellbeing are not effectively treated during this time. Thus, providers need to focus on a successful and early return to work. Research has shown that if this is not achieved, extended treatment time and costs may arise due to a further and more complicated deterioration in health.
More time away from normality enables claimants to adopt unhealthy behaviours leading to an exacerbation of their fears and the development of misaligned illness beliefs surrounding their disability. Breaking through these mismanaged behaviours and consequent symptoms can add weeks, if not months to the rehabilitation process, further escalating the costs. These costs could be avoided if a provider that is experienced in the area of chronic illness management is involved immediately.
An effective return-to-work intervention requires a careful, graded and multidisciplinary approach. Commissioning large teams of providers may not be feasible due to cost and management challenges and with each passing week, the chances of a successful rehabilitation decrease. It is therefore imperative to have the correct expertise from the outset.
Megan can provide the expertise and care, as soon as the claimant requests help.
The Solution - the sooner exercise is included the sooner working is on the cards
Research has shown that the sooner a claimant undergoes specialist exercise care, the more successful the outcome and the sooner the claimant is back at work. Results indicate that exercise is the most successful and cost-effective solution for long-term rehabilitation, and if done correctly can be considered a cure for many medical conditions in its own right.
Megan has proven that her independent rehabilitation model is 94% successful and research has shown exercise achieves better results than pharmaceutical, psychology or occupational therapy alone. Despite this, exercise is often only approved as a last resort,
Megan offers a multi-faceted programme that provides educational and exercise components in a clinical context. Megan’s programme empowers claimants to independently identify, confront and manage the beliefs and behaviours they have surrounding their condition and what they're physically able to achieve. This ensures greater investment in the process and thus higher rates of success.
After receiving Megan’s 6 to 12-week programme, 89% of her clients are back in work and more are in the final stages of preparation. Further to this, 85% of her clients have been recorded to continue exercising independently three months later. Six months of regular exercise lays the foundation for it to become habit-forming. This is essential for any given claimant, because ongoing, independent exercise significantly reduces the chance of becoming unwell again and reclaiming in the future.
The process
With Megan’s programme, claimants go through a tailored 6 to 12-week education and supervision programme. Assessments and medical reporting are also included at the appropriate time-points. While Megan’s set services typically meet the medical referrers and claimants' needs, her innovative business model allows her to provide the flexibility that some referrers need in helping a claimant return to work. Megan is also willing to work with referrers and other medical bodies to modify her service to fit their unique needs.
Standard Services:
We provide clinical assessments and prescription as well as private consultations, medical reporting, case consulting and referral. We can also offer practitioner mentoring and corporate presentations at request.
