CASE STUDY C
Craig Jones
Injured labourer, 2 years off work
Craig Jones entered the AlphaOne Intensive program in 2005, having been injured in 2002 whilst working as a plumber's labourer. At the start of the program, he said that he was eager to return to the workforce. At baseline assessment, Craig was found to have high fear avoidance beliefs and depressive symptomatology. These factors seemed to be influencing his reluctance to risk further work-related injury.
Craig attended the group-based AlphaOne Intensive program and was progressing well until he had a Section 40 assessment part-way through the program. The Section 40 ultimately resulted in a reduction in Craig's weekly payments. This proved to be a significant barrier to Craig's progress. He assumed that AlphaOne were involved in the Section 40 process, which was not the case. After this, Craig became angry, resistant to many of the program strategies, and disinterested in the group. He started complaining about the program, became pain-focused and aligned himself with another member of the group who was very negative about 'Workers Compensation' and returning to the workforce. By the end of the program, Craig did not feel that he could increase his hours on his WorkCover certificate because of his functional limitations. He was also worried that his payments would decrease further if he were to increase his hours at work. It was very difficult to convince Craig to commence the JPP.
Craig's Nominated Treating Doctor (NTD) and AlphaOne supported referring him to a JPP to receive assistance with finding suitable work. Despite Craig's uncertainty, sufficient rapport and trust had been developed and this goal was achieved at the NTD case conference. Craig was then referred to the JPP on his current certificate of 15 hours per week. Several months after commencing the JPP, Craig secured employment for 15 hours per week at a camping store and reported that he "loves it". Further upgrades in his hours are planned.