The Principles on the role of the GP in supporting work participation are Australia’s first national principles developed by the Collaborative Partnership to improve work participation in consultation with key stakeholders across sectors and industry. The Principles have been officially recognised as a Supported Position Statement by The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

The Principles guide GPs on how they can empower people to engage in good work. The Principles support the evidence that work is an important social determinant of health and ‘good work’ can be used as part of a patient’s recovery and wellbeing.

GPs are ideally placed to provide advice to patients and other stakeholders on the health and social benefits of participation in good work. The advocacy role of GPs includes understanding a patient’s needs and advocating to ensure they are empowered to choose and control their treatment pathway, recovery, and goals, including engaging in good work.

GPs, employers, and other professionals need to work together as a team to improve work participation rates for people with a health condition or disability.

A one-page snapshot summarising the Principles has been developed to guide the role of the GP in facilitating the health benefits of good work. The snapshot provides a summary of the three key roles for GPs in supporting work participation for people with injury, illness, or disability.

The one-page snapshot on the Principles is available here.

Visit Medical practitioners | Comcare for more information and resources to assist with work-related injury or illness.