The concept of functional restoration is not new, but there is a renewed interest due to more cases of injured workers with chronic pain achieving less than optimal recovery. Functional restoration is the process by which an individual acquires the skills, knowledge and behavior necessary to assume primary responsibility for his or her own well-being after an injury. Aligning a multidisciplinary functional restoration program with an injured worker’s specific needs is the key to long-term health.

Six Steps for Successful Functional Restoration

A high-quality functional restoration program involves interdisciplinary and measurable goals, care coordination and communication between all parties. Here are six recommendations for developing an effective program:

1. Secure an agreement to participate with the injured worker: The first step of a successful functional restoration program is the most important. It’s essential to gain patient acceptance, set expectations and encourage family participation.
2. Develop program selection criteria: Match an injured worker’s specific needs to a program. This includes provider expertise in the specific diagnosis, detoxification resources, and a focus on self-management among other requirements.
3. Manage participation: It is not uncommon for an injured worker to be reluctant to participate in a functional restoration program. Have a plan in place that defines the approach from start to finish to encourage and engage the injured worker.
4. Review the curriculum: Clarifying the diagnosis, tapering off medications, and setting daily treatment goals are some of the steps that should be outlined for each injured person.
5. Measure outcomes: All goals should be defined, measured and monitored along the way so the individual can recognize progress.
6. Manage the transition back into the community: A discharge plan can help prevent relapses. Planning should begin before admission into the program with follow-up conducted after discharge.

The results of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary functional restoration program can benefit both the injured worker and the carrier. Active care management throughout the course of the claim will help the injured worker make the possible recovery.