One of the fastest ways to help an injured worker recover and return to their usual life is by writing effective work restrictions. The ability to do this well can make the difference between helping the worker regain a vital part of their identity and iatrogenically disabling them, preventing them from moving their life forward. This book guides healthcare providers through the nuances of writing and managing work restrictions and is especially written for providers who did not learn this important skill during their training. Whether you are a generalist or a specialist, after reading this book you will know how to:

• Correctly write work restrictions that are easily understood by the worker’s employer
• Manage and titrate work restrictions over the course of care for a particular injury
• Address concerns the worker or the employer may have with the work restrictions you have issued

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 2.8 million non-fatal, recordable, injuries and illnesses in the US in 2019. Work-related injuries result in multiple days of lost productivity, which translates into lost revenue for employers, workers, families, and the larger community.

Most injuries, particularly musculoskeletal injuries, have a defined time course for recovery. While many workers return to work within a reasonable time frame, managing workers who do not wish to return to work quickly can be challenging. After reading this book you will know how to:

• Identify the recognized time course for most work-related injuries
• Recognize the barriers to recovery during the occupational medicine clinical encounter
• Implement communication techniques for sharing the expectations for recovery and the return-to-work timeline with workers.