Affiliations: Ontario Chiropractic Association Research Chair,
Toronto, Canada | School of Occupational Therapy, The University of
Western Ontario, Canada | Canadian Federal Government Ontario Region's Round
Table Project on Safe and Timely Return to Function and to Work
Note: [] Address for correspondence: David J. Brunarski, DC, MSc, FCCS
(C), P.O. Box 663, 354 Norfolk Strect, North Simcoe, ON, Canada N3Y 4T2.
Tel.: +1 519 426 8656; E-mail: drbrunarski@aol.com
Abstract: More efforts are needed to help stakeholders who are geographically
isolated from one another become more collaborative in their approach to
return-to-work (RTW). A review of the literature on team processes, and
insights from the experiences of a federally funded Round Table Project on Safe
and Timely Return to Function and Return to Work were used to inform strategies
that might enhance collaboration among health professionals and stakeholders in
injury and illness management and return-to-work. A case study serves to
highlight the individual, identifies the problem and provides a potential
solution at the broader service and system levels. It becomes evident that
there is a need for a common language as well as policies that emphasize the
importance of fostering awareness of interprofessional potentials and
contributions of all stakeholders. Establishing shared goals, and building
capacity for sustaining collaboration when multi-stakeholders do not function
in the same physical location, but work virtually, might maximize
effectiveness, efficiency and productivity.
Keywords: Collaboration, interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, return-to-work, team care
