What helps injured workers navigate complex treatment pathways and return to work? A new ISCRR evaluation has explored this question through the Nurse Navigator (Upper Limb) Pilot, identifying valuable lessons for future models of coordinated care.
Acting as a central point of contact, they work with treating clinicians, communicate with stakeholders and support patients to navigate healthcare and compensation systems, with the aim of improving continuity of care and recovery outcomes.
The pilot tested a Nurse Navigator model designed to coordinate care for workers recovering from complex upper limb injuries. While the evaluation found there was insufficient evidence to support wider implementation of the model in its current form, it also highlighted the benefits participants experienced through coordinated, person-centred care.
Injured workers described feeling well supported throughout their recovery, valuing the Nurse Navigator’s role in coordinating appointments, improving communication between treating clinicians and helping them navigate the workers’ compensation system.
The evaluation also identified practical opportunities to strengthen future pilot programs, including:
These findings will help inform the design and evaluation of future innovative models of care across the injury recovery sector.
By capturing both the successes and challenges of the pilot, the evaluation provides important evidence to support ongoing improvements in workplace injury recovery and rehabilitation.
Download the full report: Evaluation of Nurse Navigator (Upper Limb) Pilot Program