Experiencing an injury and managing a recovery can present a lot of different challenges. With our teams’ experience, we have gathered together our best tips to help you navigate it as smoothly as possible.
Communication is key. Ask questions! From everyone, your Doctor, your Claims Advisor, your Treatment Provider, and most especially from us, your Rehabilitation Consultant. The more you understand, be it about your injury, what treatment is being recommended for you and why, and what is expected of you, the better off you will be. Some of us are good at asking questions at the moment, whereas others may be more reflective and take time to process information. If you are the latter, make sure you make a note of questions that arise for you after the appointment, so you are able to go to your next appointment of contact with that person with your questions prepared. Remember no question is a silly question. If it’s on your mind just ask, so you don’t spend time worrying about it. Remember, you have a team around you who is here to support you in your recovery and your journey. Let your support know about your needs, or what is happening for you, and this may assist in your recovery and management.
Get organised. Depending on the nature of your injury, you will likely have some follow-up appointments. You will most likely be seeing your General Practitioner regularly, but you may also have regular ongoing treatment sessions, and possibly see a Specialist. It is important that you ensure you attend all these appointments as scheduled, and if you are unwell, or need to change the appointment due to a personal emergency, it is a good idea to reschedule as soon as possible, and to inform the Rehabilitation Consultant, if one is involved, about this change.
Keep records (including up-to-date medical certificates). Having a folder or binder, and automatically keeping your paperwork there, or creating a virtual file where you upload all documents, will be very helpful. Often, records will be required at different stages for approvals and reimbursements.
Some clients also find that they have to retell their story to Doctors, Treatment Providers, their Employer, the Insurer, and then to us. If telling and retelling your experience is distressing for you, a great idea is to write down the events in a document that can be shared with these different points of contact. It is possible that they may need to ask you clarifying questions, and this may be unavoidable. If this is difficult for you, it can be very helpful to let the other person know.
Try to keep your treatment team consistent. As much as possible, try to keep the same Doctor and Treatment Providers, e.g. Physiotherapists and Psychologists. This will help reduce your having to retell your story, and it will reduce the treatment and recovery timeframes. Things can arise that are unavoidable, for instance, your Physiotherapist goes on extended leave, or your Doctor moves to a new practice, and these are out of your control, and are understandable. An exception to the consistency within your treatment team is if you feel you do not have a good rapport with someone (we are all human), and it’s natural that we don’t all get along with each other all the time, but if you feel this is impacting on your treatment or recovery, speak to your Rehabilitation Consultant, if you have one, or to your Doctor.
As you start to recover from your injury, your consultations with Treatment Providers will become less frequent. This is referred to as transitioning to self-management. Your treating team will guide you to becoming more independent in the long-term management of your condition. They will help you by giving you tasks, such as a home program of exercises to do, or equip you with strategies to self-manage your longer-term rehabilitation, where necessary. It is important to continue with these exercises or strategies to maintain, and possibly increase the gains you have made in treatment sessions.
Be patient. This one can most certainly be challenging. No one wants to be injured, and while there is a lot you can do to ensure you recover as quickly as possible, such as following your Doctor’s advice, getting good rest, eating healthily, and completing any home-based treatment recommended, it may be that your recovery will take time. A successful recovery is not always linear either. Some days you may feel better, and then the next day symptoms are worse. This doesn’t mean you are going backwards. I often encourage clients to try and think week-to-week rather than day-to-day.
Hand in hand with being patient is being able to manage your frustrations. Having an injury is stressful. While the Insurance systems are designed to support those injured through work or a motor vehicle accident, the system itself can be challenging at times. If you are feeling frustrated or angry, talk to a friend, family member, your Doctor, or your Rehabilitation Coordinator, if you have one. Talking this through with a support person can be helpful. In the heat of a moment, you may want to take out this frustration on a particular party, but this is rarely helpful in the long term.
Remember, although it may be hard navigating the system, try your best to look after your mental and physical health. By having a good mindset during this process, and looking after your physical fundamentals, such as sleep, nutrition, and self-care, you will best place yourself to be your most resilient. If you are struggling with this, or would like some tips, definitely ask us, your Rehabilitation Consultant.
Remember that engaging with work during your recovery will promote a quicker recovery. Many of us are able to remain at work while we are recovering, whether that be in your pre-injury role, or with some modifications or adjustments. By being at work, you are gaining social interaction, keeping your usual routine, having meaning and purpose, and challenging your body/supporting your mind to recover well. The benefits of being engaged with work are well documented, and it is good for us to interact with good work. If you are not able to be at work at a point during your recovery, it is important to consider other ways you can support your ongoing physical and mental health. It is also helpful to remain in contact with your workplace, even if you are unable to attend.
In summary:
- Communication is key.
- Be organised, and keep records.
- Attend your treatment.
- Be patient, and effectively manage any frustrations.
- Try to look after your overall wellbeing.
- Engaging with work will support your recovery.