For physiotherapists - How to set up a workplace visit

Video transcript

(PHONE RINGS)

DESCRIPTION:

A man sits at a computer workstation and wears a telephone headset. He has short dark curly hair and a neat beard.

JOSH JONES:

Hello, this is Josh Jones. How can I help you?

DESCRIPTION:

Inside a medical-style room, a blonde woman talks on a telephone. She wears a black and white pinstripe shirt and tortoiseshell glasses. A man sits opposite her. He has short dark-grey hair and wears a tartan print collared shirt.

CASSANDRA:

Hi, Josh, it's Cassandra here from Central Physiotherapy. I'm with your client, Simon Smith, who I've been treating. Simon's been complaining recently of increased low back pain after work. But the problem is, we don't really know what's causing it. So I'm planning on going in and doing a workplace visit, and I wondered if you'd be able to join us.

JOSH JONES:

As it happens, I was just about to refer for a job analysis. Are you talking about the PT216 service?

CASSANDRA:

Yes, I am.

JOSH JONES:

I was looking at that too. So what's the difference?

CASSANDRA:

The PT216 physio workplace visit is a much more practical and personalised approach. So it's where we go out and we really look at how the person is moving while they're doing their job and then we can really get to the root of the problem and fix that. The other thing is that there's no report associated with this particular visit, but I always ring the case manager afterwards if they can't be there to let them know what we found.

JOSH JONES:

That sounds like a better plan. Well, I'd love to come in if I can. Thursday or Friday this week are looking OK. Let me know a time and I'll be there. Actually, Simon mentioned something about a pallet lifter. Can you have a look at that as well?

DESCRIPTION:

Elsewhere, a man answer a telephone. He has short dark hair and wears a black suit jacket over a pale blue collared shirt.

MR MITCHELL:

Hello, Mitchell Products.

CASSANDRA:

Hello, Mr Mitchell. I'm Cassandra, the physio, looking after Simon Smith.

MR MITCHELL:

Yeah. Hi, Cassandra. How can I help you?

CASSANDRA:

Well, Simon has been complaining of an increase in low back pain recently after work, but the problem is, we don't know what's causing it. So I'd like to come out and look at him doing his job and have a look at how he's moving. Would that be OK?

MR MITCHELL:

Yeah, I'm sure that can be arranged.

CASSANDRA:

It would be good if a supervisor could be there, too. And in that way, if we find a problem, we can actually problem-solve as a team. But the supervisor can also help by reminding Simon about how he should be moving and help to stop him from going back to bad habits.

MR MITCHELL:

Sounds like a really good idea. How long will it take?

CASSANDRA:

Look, I've got up to an hour at the workplace, but it's probably going to take between 20 and 30 minutes.

MR MITCHELL:

The best time would be during our lunch break between 12 and 1. That way you can have the area to yourselves and I'll arrange for Simon's supervisor, Rhett, to be available.

CASSANDRA:

Would it be OK if I came a bit earlier, say a quarter to? That way I can see Simon working as he normally would, and I get a bit of an understanding for the pace of work.

MR MITCHELL:

Sure. When would you like to come?

CASSANDRA:

Will this Thursday work for you? I have Simon with me, and he said Thursday is good for him. Oh, and also the case manager, Josh Jones, is able to join us.

MR MITCHELL:

No problem. I'll arrange for Rhett to meet you at reception.

CASSANDRA:

Also, do you have any OHS requirements that I should be aware of?

MR MITCHELL:

Just closed shoes. Rhett will give you high-vis vests and safety glasses at the reception and there is an OHS policy information sheet to read, so maybe allow a few extra minutes for that.

DESCRIPTION:

Inside Mitchell Products, Cassandra is greeted by a dark-haired man who wears a yellow Hi-Vis vest. Nearby, Josh checks in at the desk on a mounted tablet-style computer.

RHETT:

You must be Cassandra.

CASSANDRA:

Yes. Hi there. You must be Rhett.

RHETT:

Nice to meet you.

CASSANDRA:

And this is Josh, the case manager.

RHETT:

Nice to meet you, too. I see you've signed in. Just before we head out onto the factory floor, I'll just need you to put on a high-vis vest and some safety goggles.

CASSANDRA:

Sure.

RHETT:

They’re just there.

CASSANDRA:

OK, great. Thank you.

DESCRIPTION:

Cassandra and Josh put on yellow Hi-Vis vests and safety glasses.

Out on the factory floor, Simon lifts panels of white veneered chipboard onto a large machine. Cassandra, Rhett and Josh walk over to watch him work. Cassandra takes a photo on her smartphone.

Rhett walks over to Simon and gestures for him to follow them.

Later, Cassandra demonstrates how to lift the chipboard onto the machines conveyor belt. Simon follows her guidance and feeds some more boards through the machine.

Elsewhere and later, Cassandra sits at a small round table with Rhett, Josh and Simon.

CASSANDRA:

What we found today was that you were twisting a lot with what you were doing, and you were also reaching a long way and bending down. So what we need to do, as we were saying out there, is to make sure that the sheets of M-D are at the right height so that you can move them directly across and change that foot position so you're facing one way rather than twisting. Does that sound OK?

SIMON SMITH:

Mm-hmm.

CASSANDRA:

You certainly looked very good when you were practising it out there. What would be really great is if your supervisor, Rhett, could just keep an eye on you over the week. That way, it'll just stop you from getting into bad habits again. Would that be OK, Rhett?

RHETT:

I can certainly do that, Cass.

CASSANDRA:

OK, is that alright with you, Simon?

SIMON SMITH:

OK.

CASSANDRA:

Great. OK. Thanks. I'll check up with you guys in a couple of weeks.

SIMON SMITH:

OK.

DESCRIPTION:

Cassandra stands inside her office. Two posters are fixed to the wall behind her, one reads ‘The Muscular System’ and the other ‘The Human Spine’.

CASSANDRA:

There's no written report required for the PT216 workplace visit, but you do need to write up your usual physio notes. Also, you can bill for phone calls to the case manager and employer as well as the doctor and anyone else in the treating team. The code for this is PT552. You can find details about ReturnToWorkSA’s physiotherapy fee schedule on our website. For any other queries, simply call 13 18 55. Our physio support service is here to help.

DESCRIPTION:

On a white background a grey and red logo reads ‘Return to Work SA’. The SA lettering is coloured red and has a logo above it that features a red line above a lime green line that curve into each other to form a stadium shape. Further grey text below reads ‘Return to work. Return to life.’

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