A Work-Hardening Program is an interdisciplinary, individualized exercise and therapeutic program tailored to return an injured individual to work in a specific job or field. The Department of Labor and Industries defines “work hardening” as an interdisciplinary, individualized, job-specific program of activity aimed at returning an injured worker to work. Work-hardening programs are designed to provide injured workers with a higher level of therapeutic intervention. The primary goal of this program is to restore an injured worker’s physical capacity and function so they can continue the tasks they performed before their injury.
Work-hardening programs are highly structured, simulated work tasks that typically take place outside the hospital. They provide a safe transition from prescribed care after a work injury to a successful return to work. Most work hardening programs consist of 3-5 sessions a week for 2-8 weeks. Sessions range from 2-4 hours and depend on the patient’s place of employment. Components included in a work hardening program are:
- Specific Flexibility Program
- Strengthening Program
- Cardiovascular Conditioning
- Therapeutic Activities
- Functional Job Simulation Activities
- Education
Who Provides Work-Hardening Programs?
Physical therapists, vocational counselors, or occupational therapists can provide work-hardening programs. Occupational therapy practitioners evaluate worker capacities, task performance, and the worker’s environment to help ensure the proper course of treatment. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, “These specialized evaluation skills allow the occupational therapist to understand and deliver results in the complex psychosocial and physical work environment.” Below is a list of issues most work hardening programs address:
- Physical Limitations
- Job-Specific Physical Rehabilitation
- Workplace Safety and Injury Prevention
- Job Performance
Example: TIRR Memorial Hermann
TIRR Memorial Hermann is a local facility that can provide work-hardening programs. TIRR is an internationally recognized rehabilitation and research hospital. Their occupational therapy treatment is patient-centered and designed to help individuals recover from an injury or accident by participating in everyday activities. They are one of the many treatment centers where patients with catastrophic injuries can receive specialized care.
Do I Need a Work-Hardening Program?
Your medical providers and vocational rehabilitation therapists can help you decide whether this type of program is right for you. When a patient undergoes physical therapy, they may sometimes reach a plateau in treatment. In the workers’ compensation world, this plateau is called Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI). This is the point at which the medical community may no longer consider continued care curative. Workers may reach MMI but still struggle with the physical activities required in their profession. In many cases, a functional capacity exam (FCE) will be performed to determine whether the worker can return to work. If he does not have the physical capacity to meet the minimum physical requirements of the job, In such cases, a work hardening program can be beneficial in helping the injured worker return to an employable level of physical health.
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