WorkCover helping doctors to help doctors

WorkCover Tasmania has launched a new service designed to put doctors in touch with
other doctors to improve the medical management of workers compensation patients and
to ensure better outcomes for everyone involved in the return to work process.

The service, known as the Medical Advisory and Mentoring Service (MAMS) will initially run
as an 18 month trial and will operate on a mentoring basis, in recognition of the benefits of
medical practitioners working ‘peer to peer’.

WorkCover Tasmania Board member, Dr Rob Walters, acknowledges that some doctors
don’t see many workers compensation patients and may need support to deal with the
complexities of the Tasmanian workers compensation scheme.

“MAMS will improve the health outcomes of injured workers by increasing the information,
support and advice available to medical practitioners who are part of the workers
compensation scheme,” Dr Walters said.

“Through this scheme, doctors with skills, experience and confidence in the Tasmanian
workers compensation system can help more than just their patients.

“These experienced doctors will mentor other doctors by providing information and support
to their peers that will help them to work more effectively, resulting in better outcomes for
injured workers.

“General practitioners who need help identifying treatment options, assessing work
capacity and identifying alternative duties, can call a Helpline and a medical mentor from
MAMS will contact them,” Dr Walters said.

WorkCover Tasmania recognises the important role that medical practitioners play in the
workers compensation process by assisting injured workers to get back to work as soon as
medically able on the basis that this can greatly improve a workers health and wellbeing.

A publication titled ‘Managing workplace injuries in Tasmania: A handbook for primary
treating medical practitioners, highlighting the medical practitioners role in managing
workers with a workplace injury or illness, has also been produced by WorkCover.

Any accredited medical practitioner who needs advice or assistance on workers
compensation and return to work issues can call a Helpline on 1300 366 322 during business
hours.
WorkCover Tasmania Board member, Dr Rob Walters