Recovery Pathway

0:01
Let's talk about recovery pathways. The
0:03
pathway you are put on will depend upon
0:06
your type of injury. As an example,
0:08
we're going to think about an individual
0:10
who has a seriously sprained ankle.
0:13
Pathways are useful for setting
0:15
expectations both for you as the service
0:18
person and for your health care
0:20
providers. They give an idea of what
0:22
treatment will be required and how long
0:24
it will take to recover. The pathway
0:26
will always be tailored to the
0:27
individual and their particular injury.
0:31
The first thing to think about is the
0:33
physical limitations. What duties can
0:35
you perform? It's likely that at the
0:38
beginning you'll need to rest your
0:39
ankle. Initially, the only mahi you'll
0:42
be capable of doing is likely to be
0:44
undertaken while you're sitting down.
0:46
These are called sedentary duties.
0:50
Next, you'll to progress to light
0:52
physical duties. And then as you
0:54
incorporate running and more heavy
0:55
physical duties, you'll be back to your
0:57
normal military job.
1:00
Now, who's likely to provide your care
1:04
initially, particularly where you might
1:06
need medication and while you're setting
1:08
up your pathway, a medic or a doctor is
1:10
likely to take the lead.
1:12
Physiootherapists will then start your
1:13
physical recovery. And when you're ready
1:15
to return to functions like walking and
1:17
running, exercise rehabilitation
1:19
instructors will take you along the
1:21
pathway. You'll then be referred to the
1:24
physical training instructors to return
1:26
you to full physical fitness and
1:28
strength. How will this affect your
1:30
medical grading? Not everyone will need
1:33
downgrading. If you're unable to
1:35
complete all of the physical elements of
1:37
your job, you may require a period of
1:39
light mahi. If you require those light
1:41
duties beyond 28 days, you might need a
1:43
short period of medical downgrade to
1:45
protect you from the activities you
1:47
cannot safely do, such as military PT. A
1:50
downgrade means you can stay on your
1:52
recovery pathway and access ongoing
1:54
rehabilitation. Your grade will probably
1:57
look something like A4 G4 Z5 where A4
2:02
means you are fit to fly as a passenger,
2:04
G4 indicates limited trade or combat
2:06
duties, and Z5 means you won't be sent
2:09
overseas. Your medical grading code
2:12
might not seem easy to understand at
2:13
first glance, but you can always refer
2:15
to the handy tangy order handbook or the
2:18
defense health website. And if you have
2:20
any further questions, reach out to your
2:22
doctor or medic. Our aim is to return
2:25
you to full duties as soon as possible.
2:28
As soon as you are fit to return to your
2:29
normal activities and no longer require
2:32
work restrictions, you will be upgraded.
2:35
With an injury such as a sprained ankle,
2:37
we would expect full recovery and return
2:40
to your normal medical grade within 3
2:42
months.