Injury management is a term used to describe a cooperative effort by the worker, employer and treating doctor (the key parties) to help the injured worker either stay at work or return to work after experiencing a work related injury.

It is crucial that the injury management starts at the time of injury and that the key parties continue to communicate throughout the process. The treating doctor assumes primary responsibility for the care and coordination of an injured worker’s treatment.

At times, additional assistance may be required by the key parties to manage the reintegration of the worker into the workforce. Approved vocational rehabilitation providers are approved by WorkCover WA to provide services to assist the worker to be maintained in, or return to, the workforce.


Approved Medical Specialists - A Guide for Medical Practitioners
From 14 November 2005, approved medical specialists assess the degree of permanent whole of person impairment (WPI) due to workplace injuries. These assessments are required in cases where the worker and the employer do not agree about the degree of permanent impairment. For more information on this process, please see the publication called The Role of an Approved Medical Specialist - Information for Medical Practitioners.

An approved medical specialist is trained to evaluate permanent impairment using the WorkCover WA Guides for the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.

While treatment continues to be provided by the worker’s treating medical practitioner, only medical practitioners registered as approved medical specialists can undertake impairment assessments, which form the basis for access to certain workers’ compensation entitlements by injured workers.

An AMS is trained to evaluate permanent impairment using the "WorkCover WA Guides for Evaluation of Permanent Impairment".   

To find out more about approved medical specialist training, or how to become an approved medical specialist, follow the link on the right.