Management of common conditions in the workplace: what works, what doesn't, and when to seek medical input.

Join Dr Sid O'Toole, Occupational and Environmental Physician, for a practical update on the diagnosis, imaging and treatment of common conditions encountered in rehabilitation and return to work, including low back pain, shoulder pain and whiplash. Drawing on current clinical guidelines and evidence, Dr O'Toole will explore the often-poor relationship between pain, pathology and imaging findings, the risks of unnecessary investigations, and why scans can sometimes do more harm than good.  

 
The session will address one of the most common challenges facing rehabilitation providers: determining when ongoing symptoms warrant medical review and when recovery can be safely progressed through activity, graduated exposure, exercise and work participation. Attendees will gain practical guidance on early intervention, symptom management, evidence-based return to work planning, and recognising when an overly cautious approach may inadvertently contribute to delayed recovery, deconditioning and poorer outcomes. 

PRESENTER 

Dr Sid O’Toole is an Occupational and Environmental Physician who provides expert advice and opinion on a wide range of issues relating to the health of workers and their employers. 

An occupational and environmental physician’s practice includes the traditional areas of occupational health such as managing complex fitness for work scenarios or situations where hazardous substances are in use (such as silica, coal dust or asbestos).  

Dr O’Toole is passionate about effective pathways to care for people with work-related illness and injury and is engaging with GPs to help facilitate best practice treatment.  

Dr O’Toole provides services to WorkCover Queensland as well as local government and private sector organisations. He is the immediate past Chair of the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine’s Queensland Regional Committee and co-director of LIME Medicolegal and Phoenix Occupational Medicine. 

ACCESS TO THE EVENT

• All ARPA members are reminded to login before registering to receive discounted pricing, this is for individual registration only. Group registrations can be done by emailing careers@arpa.org.au.

• Registration closes 5.00pm Monday 19th October AEST

• Please check the date and your local time prior to registering as refunds are not provided - change of registrant can be requested.

• This event is catered, please send any dietaries to careers@arpa.org.au

• Please download your calendar invitation to save the date!