Returning to work after an injury is a key component of the recovery process. However, evidence shows that people in New Zealand are spending increasing time away from the workplace. Clinical decisions made early about a patient’s capacity for work can influence their long-term outcomes. bpacnz has published a series of resources to support clinicians in understanding and applying the ACC Recovery at Work initiative. Clinicians have an important role within this model by performing injury consultations, evaluating work capacity, setting shared expectations and making decisions around medical certification. To clarify some of the aspects of the Recovery at Work framework, and to ask some pragmatic questions, we hosted a panel discussion with representatives from ACC. To prepare for this discussion, we invited a group of primary care specialists (general practitioners, urgent care clinicians, nurse practitioners) to share with us their experiences with the Recovery at Work programme. The following podcast is based on what they told us.

For a transcript of this podcast, further resources recommended or noted during the discussion and acknowledgements, see: https://bpac.org.nz/2025/recovery-cast.aspx.

Read the comprehensive Recovery at Work guide, here. A B-QuiCK summary, case study quiz and peer group discussion are also available.

The information in bpacnz Podcasts and Publications is specifically designed to address conditions and requirements in New Zealand and support health professionals in New Zealand and as such assumes the level of professional training required to appropriately interpret the advice contained therein. The information should be interpreted in light of professional knowledge and supplemented as necessary by specialised publications and by reference to literature. bpacnz Podcasts are for information purposes only and do not constitute medical advice.