Behind the Claims Podcast

AusRehab
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Behind the Claims Podcast brings you real stories and straight answers on workplace injuries, breaking down the workers compensation system. For everyone who's been injured at work, employers, healthcare workers, and support people who want to help. Listen in, learn more, stay ahead! Website: www.ausrehab.com Email: marketing@ausrehab.com Instagram: @ausrehab

  1. 4d ago

    Inside a Workers Comp Medical Exam | Occupational Physician Explains IMEs

    "I need to look after workers. We need safe workplaces and we need health and safety." Dr Farhan Shahzad is an Occupational and Environmental Physician in Australia with a unique perspective on workplace injury, workers compensation and independent medical examinations. If you've been asked to attend an Independent Medical Examination (IME) as part of a workers compensation claim, you may be wondering what actually happens and what the doctor is assessing. In this episode, Dr Farhan explains the IME process from an occupational physician's perspective, including medical opinions, work capacity and return to work. In this episode, he explains what an occupational physician actually does, how IMEs work, and why some claims become more complex when workplace conflict, financial pressure or feeling unheard get mixed into recovery. He also explains who can request an IME report, how he maintains independence when giving a medical opinion, and what doctors need to consider when assessing a workplace injury and someone's capacity for work. He also shares how his own workplace injury after moving to Australia influenced his career, what he has learned from years of complex claims, and why prevention should start long before an injury becomes a workers compensation case. Whether you're an injured worker, supporting someone through an injury, an employer, or working in claims or rehabilitation, this episode gives you a practical look at the medical side of workplace injury and the role an independent medical examination can play in a workers compensation claim. In this episode, you'll hear: - How Dr Farhan's own workplace injury influenced his career - What an Occupational and Environmental Physician actually does - What happens during an Independent Medical Examination (IME) - Who may request an IME report and why - How Dr Farhan stays independent when giving medical opinions - What doctors consider when assessing work capacity and return to work - What "revenge back pain" means and how workplace issues can affect recovery - Why some claims become more complex than the injury itself - How psychosocial and workplace factors can influence recovery - How better workplace systems and early support can help prevent long-term claims 🔗 Listen & connect Catch every episode early! Subscribe free on Spotify: https://sptfy.bio/behindtheclaims Apple: https://apple.co/48Etptt 👨‍⚕️ Connect with Dr Farhan Shahzad https://drfarhanshahzad.com/ https://evaluatemedicolegal.com.au/ 📲 Need help with workplace rehabilitation or injury recovery? 📞 1300 391 947  👉 https://www.ausrehab.com/contact/ 📣 Follow AusRehab Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/ Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/ Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWSvHJb6Zuk43NnqhjwVNsjLysoZRQx6y #IndependentMedicalExamination #WorkersCompensation #OccupationalPhysician #WorkplaceInjury #ReturnToWork #WorkplaceRehabilitation #BehindTheClaim #AusRehab

  2. Sep 7

    EP 15 AI Resumes & The Truth About Recruitment Agencies | Insight from a Recruitment Expert

    "You've got one phone call to prove you're the right fit." Recruitment specialist Paulo Ubaldo, Business Development Manager and Recruitment Specialist at AusRehab, returns for part two of his conversation on Behind the Claim, this time going deep on what actually gets someone hired, especially when they're managing an injury, illness, or disability on top of a tough job market. From AI resumes and resume screening to interview preparation and recruitment agencies, Paulo shares what job seekers can do to improve their chances of getting noticed and getting through the first stage of recruitment. Paulo runs a live mock screening call in real time, walks through how generational differences show up in interviews (Gen Z, millennials, and people coming back to the job market after 10 to 20 years in the same role), and gives a straight answer on whether recruitment agencies are still worth using when you have a physical restriction. He also breaks down how resume screening systems work, why the right keywords matter, and how AI can be used when preparing a resume without losing the experience and personality that make the application yours. Whether you're job seeking after an injury, returning to work after time away, coaching someone who is, or just want a sharper interview and resume strategy, this episode is full of practical, specific advice you can use straight away. Why you only get one phone call to prove you're the right fit, and how to use it A live mock screening call, coached and corrected in real time The record yourself tip that shows you what you actually sound like in an interview How Gen Z, millennial and boomer candidates come across differently in interviews How to confidently talk about 10 to 20 years in one role when you're interviewing again Whether recruitment agencies are still worth using if you have a physical restriction or injury How resume screening systems use keywords when reviewing applications Using AI to help prepare your resume while keeping it personal and accurate Simple resume formatting rules that help employers quickly find the information they need 🔁 Catch Part 1: https://youtu.be/1jBZ8IwARKc 🔗 Listen & connect Catch every episode early! Subscribe free on Spotify: https://sptfy.bio/behindtheclaims Apple: https://apple.co/48Etptt 📲 Need help with workplace rehabilitation or injury recovery? 📞 1300 391 947 👉 https://www.ausrehab.com/contact/ 📣 Follow AusRehab Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/ Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/ Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWSvHJb6Zuk43NnqhjwVNsjLysoZRQx6y #AIResume #JobInterviewTips #Recruitment #ResumeTips #JobSearch #ReturnToWork #BehindTheClaim #AusRehab

  3. Aug 17

    EP 14 Suicide Prevention in Construction | Brad Parker on Asking the Question That Could Save a Life

    Suicide prevention in construction is one of the most important conversations happening in Australia's building industry. In this episode, Brad Parker, CEO of MATES in Construction NSW, explains why construction workers face a higher risk of suicide, how to recognise when someone may be struggling, and why asking one simple question could save a life. This episode discusses suicide. If you need support, Lifeline is available 24/7 on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au. "It only takes ten seconds of courage to ask the question that could save a life." Brad Parker, CEO of MATES in Construction NSW, joins Behind the Claim for a confronting and ultimately hopeful conversation about why construction has one of the highest suicide rates of any industry in Australia, and what anyone, tradie or not, can actually do about it. Brad walks through the exact framework MATES teaches on site: noticing loss, change and a gut feeling that something's wrong, then asking the direct question when it matters. He shares the statistic that changed how he sees every conversation (roughly one in four people asked will say yes), the industry factors behind construction's suicide rate, and a deeply personal story about his own trauma after a car accident, and the colleague who noticed the signs before Brad did. The conversation also explores workplace mental health, the importance of early intervention, why mateship matters, and how simple conversations can make a genuine difference. He closes, as he does at every site visit, with the story of Don Ritchie, the Angel of the Gap, and why suicide prevention deserves far more attention than it receives. Whether you work in construction, manage people who do, support workers recovering from injury, or simply want to know how to respond when you're worried about someone, this is one of the most practical and human conversations we've published. In this episode you'll hear The exact words Brad uses to ask someone directly if they're thinking about suicide The three-part framework for recognising when something isn't right Why roughly one in four people asked the direct question will say yes Why construction has one of Australia's highest suicide rates Brad's personal experience with trauma and PTSD The story of Don Ritchie and how one person helped save hundreds of lives Why Australia's suicide rate remains significantly higher than the road toll Timestamp: 00:00 – Introduction 01:34 – Meet Brad Parker and MATES in Construction 05:37 – Why Construction Has One of Australia's Highest Suicide Rates 06:46 – The Study That Changed Suicide Prevention 13:24 – How MATES Supports Construction Workers 22:23 – The Question That Could Save a Life 24:16 – Why Asking Directly Matters 25:44 – The Early Signs Workmates Often Miss 28:51 – Why Construction Workers Face Greater Mental Health Risks 37:14 – The Biggest Triggers Behind Suicide 41:41 – Why Men Often Don't Ask for Help 53:20 – How MATES Became a Global Leader 1:02:45 – Don Ritchie: The Angel of the Gap 1:30:32 – Brad's Personal Story of PTSD and Recovery Learn more about workplace rehabilitation and supporting recovery after injury: https://www.ausrehab.com/contact/ 🔗 Listen & connect Spotify: https://sptfy.bio/behindtheclaims Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/48Etptt 📲 Need assistance? 1300 391 947 📣 Follow AusRehab Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/ Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/ Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWSvHJb6Zuk43NnqhjwVNsjLysoZRQx6y #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealth #ConstructionIndustry #MatesInConstruction #WorkplaceMentalHealth #MensMentalHealth #BehindTheClaim #AusRehab

  4. Jul 30

    EP 13 Why Psychological Workers Compensation Claims Get Stuck | Psychologist Explains Recovery

    Psychological workers compensation claims can be some of the hardest to recover from. In this episode, psychologist Sharon Draper explains why people often get stuck during recovery and what genuinely helps them move forward after a workplace psychological injury. "We need structure. We need a routine. We need purpose. We need meaning. We need movement. We need social connections." That's how Sharon Draper sums up what it really takes to recover from a mental health injury, and it's exactly what tends to fall apart the moment someone lodges a psychological workers comp claim. In this episode, Stephen sits down with psychologist Sharon Draper, who has more than 17 years of clinical experience, including around 15 years supporting people recovering from workplace psychological injuries and workers compensation claims. She makes one point clear early on: workers comp was built around physical injury, so when a claim is about someone's mental health, the system can struggle to keep up. Sharon explains that psychological injuries are rarely caused by one bad day. They usually build up over time until someone reaches a breaking point. What happens next can make recovery even harder. The workplace goes quiet, colleagues aren't sure whether to reach out, and the injured worker can end up feeling isolated, sitting at home replaying everything over and over. Sharon has seen people stop leaving the house and even join online appointments in their pyjamas. She explains how the body shifts into survival mode when it feels under threat, why this is a normal response to workplace psychological trauma, and why it isn't something people simply choose to do. If you've been injured at work and your mental health isn't in a good place, you're not alone. This episode explores psychological workers compensation, workplace mental health, return to work and recovery after a workplace psychological injury, while sharing practical insights for injured workers, employers, case managers and healthcare professionals. Why the injury itself is rarely what keeps someone stuck The quiet thing workplaces do that makes recovery harder Why two people with the same injury recover differently What a 15-minute assessment can decide about a claim The one change an employer can make that genuinely helps recovery Whether treatment providers are paid to keep claims going Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction "Meet Psychologist Sharon Draper" 03:35 – Workers Compensation vs Private Clients 06:30 – How Workplace Bullying Leads to Psychological Injury 08:00 – Why Isolation Makes Recovery Harder 11:30 – Why Psychological Injuries Build Up Over Time 15:15 – Why People Push Through Until They Burn Out 20:45 – What Happens When the Brain Goes Into Survival Mode 29:45 – Can a 15-Minute Assessment Affect Your Claim? 33:40 – The One Thing Employers Should Never Stop Doing 41:30 – Why Recovery and Compensation Can Work Against Each Other 47:40 – Why Routine Is Essential for Recovery 59:20 – Sharon's Ideas to Improve Psychological Injury Recovery 1:11:55 – Are Providers Paid to Keep Claims Going? 1:17:40 – How Workplace Surveillance Affects Recovery 1:19:05 – Why Case Managers Have One of the Toughest Jobs What do you think matters most when building a workplace people want to join? Share your thoughts in the comments. Learn more about Workplace Rehabilitation and injury recovery: ⁠https://www.ausrehab.com/our-services/workplace-rehabilitation/⁠ 📲 Need assistance? Call: 1300 391 947 📣 Follow AusRehab for more information on injury recovery and rehabilitation support: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/ Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/ Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWSvHJb6Zuk43NnqhjwVNsjLysoZRQx6y

  5. Jun 23

    Ep 12 Why Successful Business Owners Never Really Retire | Purpose, Growth & Business Success

    "They're not in it to make money. They're in it because they have a vision…and the money follows it.” Most people think successful business owners keep going because they want more money. They don't. They keep going because stopping would break them. In this episode of Behind the Claim, Adam Hall sits down for an honest conversation about what actually drives people who could retire tomorrow but choose not to. He talks about purpose, identity, leadership, business growth, and what happens to a person when the thing they've built suddenly isn't theirs anymore. But it doesn't stop at mindset. Adam gets into the nitty gritty of running a successful trades business at a large scale. Things like margin leaks, business profitability, and job cost tracking, which is money quietly walking out the back door because your project costs aren't being tracked properly. He walks through a real example where a $6 million business was losing $540,000 a year due to a gap between their accounting software and their project management software. Adam also gets into why business leadership, business systems, financial reporting, and business knowledge transfer across any industry. It's not about knowing the trade. It's about knowing how business works. Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, trades business owner, or business leader, this episode provides practical insights into business growth, profitability, leadership, and scaling a business successfully. If you're a business owner who's hit a ceiling and can't figure out why, or you're doing well but feel like something's not quite right, this one is worth your time. What this episode covers • Why successful business owners don't retire even when they can • Purpose and identity: what keeps driven people in the game • What a margin leak is and why most businesses have one they don't know about • How a $6 million business was losing $540,000 a year from a simple tracking mistake • Why not tracking job costs against budgets is one of the most common ways businesses lose money • The software Adam's business uses to track project costs down to the dollar • Why business skills transfer across any industry • Why having the right business mindset means you can walk into any industry and still succeed • How mentoring works and what Adam looks for in a coaching client In this episode: Why successful business owners rarely retire completely The role purpose and identity play in long-term success What margin leaks are and how they impact profitability How one business lost $540,000 without realising it Why job cost tracking matters more than most owners think The systems Adam uses to monitor project profitability Why leadership and business knowledge transfer across industries What Adam looks for when mentoring business owners The difference between business operators and business leaders ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Rich people aren't actually motivated by money 0:25 – Adam could retire tomorrow. So why doesn't he? 0:48 – What happens after you've "made it"? 1:11 – How Adam mentors trades business owners 1:33 – The $540,000 margin leak story 2:46 – What Adam looks at first in a business 3:56 – The biggest reason construction businesses lose money 4:19 – Why manual job costing fails 4:40 – Software systems and project profitability 5:26 – Why helping other business owners creates purpose 6:13 – Expanding into new states successfully 6:33 – Leadership skills that transfer across industries 6:55 – Two types of successful business owners 🔗 Connect with Adam Hall https://www.instagram.com/the_adamhall/ 📲 Need help with workplace rehabilitation or injury recovery? 👉 https://www.ausrehab.com/contact/ 📣 Follow AusRehab Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/ Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/ Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWSvHJb6Zuk43NnqhjwVNsjLysoZRQx6y

  6. Jun 2

    Ep 11 Workers Comp IME Letter Explained | What Injured Workers Must Know (NSW)

    Say you receive a letter on your kitchen table saying your employer or insurer has arranged a specialist appointment to assess your ability to work. There’s a doctor’s name, a date, and a time. Most people just show up. They assume it’s legitimate. They assume everything was done by the book. And most of the time, nobody tells them otherwise. But here’s the thing. In many cases, that letter does not meet the legal requirements under workers compensation guidelines. And the insurer is counting on you not knowing that. A real government audit of QBE looked at 50 workers compensation claims over just five working days and found zero compliance on one key obligation insurers must follow before sending this type of letter. Dr. Danny Tang joins us again to explain what an Independent Medical Examination (IME) letter must legally include, what insurers are actually doing, and what it means for your claim when the process is not followed correctly. He also explains how IMC referrals fit into the process and why knowing your rights matters. If you’ve received one of these letters, or know someone who has, watch this before taking the next step. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction 1:02 – Dr. Tang is back 1:35 – What an IME letter is and legal requirements 2:36 – Workers compensation guidelines explained 4:40 – Why IME letters often look identical 5:49 – Compliance issues and what it means for injured workers 6:54 – Requirement to contact the treating doctor 8:23 – How claims can be impacted by this process 9:22 – IMC referrals and compliance issues 11:29 – Audit findings and insurer obligations 12:06 – Why understanding your rights matters 12:36 – Closing thoughts  📲 Need help with your workplace injury? Call us on 1300 391 947 or visit 👉 https://www.ausrehab.com/ 🔗 Reach out to Dr. Danny Tang: https://www.patrickmedical.com.au/ 🔗 Listen & Connect Catch every episode early! Subscribe free on Spotify: https://sptfy.bio/behindtheclaims and Apple: https://apple.co/48Etptt 📲 Need help with your workplace injury recovery? Call us on 1300 391 947 or visit our website 👉 https://www.ausrehab.com/ 📣 Follow us for more  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehab  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/  Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/  Email: marketing@ausrehab.com  Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWSvHJb6Zuk43NnqhjwVNsjLysoZRQx6y #WorkersCompensation #IME #IndependentMedicalExamination #WorkCoverNSW #InjuredWorker #KnowYourRights #WorkplaceInjury #ReturnToWork

  7. May 21

    Ep 10 Workers Comp Certificate Mistakes Explained | What Your Doctor Can Get Wrong

    “Stress is not a diagnosis. And if there’s no diagnosis, there’s no injury. And if there’s no injury, there’s no claim.” In this episode of Behind the Claim, Dr Danny Tang returns to break down one of the most important documents in a workers compensation claim: the Certificate of Capacity. Most injured workers sign it without reading it closely. Many treating doctors complete it without fully understanding what the legislation requires. And when mistakes are made, claims can be delayed, disputed, or payments can stop. Dr Tang speaks from both sides of the process, as a treating doctor and as an Independent Medical Consultant (IMC). He explains what insurers look for, where doctors commonly get it wrong, and why small compliance issues can create major problems for injured workers. This episode covers: • Why the Certificate of Capacity matters so much in a workers comp claim • Why terms like “stress,” “anxiety,” and “neck pain” are not valid diagnoses on their own • How the date of injury can affect treatment access and referrals • What the capacity for activities section is for, and why it should not be left blank • Why “one month” is not the same as 28 days under the NSW workers compensation rules • Why older WorkCover NSW certificates are no longer valid • How better compliance could improve claim outcomes for injured workers If you are injured at work, supporting a family member, or involved in managing workers compensation claims, this episode gives a practical look at what the paperwork actually requires and why it matters. ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 – Intro 1:02 – Dr Tang returns 2:11 – Initial vs subsequent Certificate of Capacity 3:39 – Why employer name and occupation matter 4:07 – Consent and privacy rules 6:07 – Why “stress” and “anxiety” are not valid diagnoses on their own 7:40 – DSM-5 and psychiatric diagnosis 8:09 – No diagnosis means no claim 9:30 – Why the date of injury matters 12:20 – The 12-week referral rule 15:31 – Treatment plans and capacity for activities 19:48 – No current work capacity and missing timeframes 24:24 – Why 28 days is not “one month” 29:07 – Why WorkCover NSW certificates are invalid 33:22 – Why “neck pain” is a symptom, not a diagnosis 43:32 – Closing thoughts on compliance and better claims 🔗 Listen & Connect Catch every episode early! Subscribe free on Spotify: https://sptfy.bio/behindtheclaims and Apple: https://apple.co/48Etptt 📲 Need help with your workplace injury recovery? Call us on 1300 391 947 or visit our website👉 https://www.ausrehab.com/ 📣 Follow us for more  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehab  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/  Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/  Email: marketing@ausrehab.com Podcast Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWSvHJb6Zuk43NnqhjwVNsjLysoZRQx6y #CertificateOfCapacity #WorkersComp #WorkCoverNSW #SIRA #MedicalCertificate #ReturnToWork #BehindTheClaim #AusRehab

  8. May 1

    EP 09 Why Workplace Injuries Don’t Improve | Chiropractor & EP Explain Recovery (Australia)

    Movement is key to getting better. Don’t sit around and do nothing.” Most injured workers are told to rest and wait for the pain to settle. But for many people, that approach can delay recovery and keep them away from work longer than necessary. In this episode of Behind the Claim, Stephen sits down with John Beshay, an exercise physiologist and chiropractor, to explain why some workplace injuries don’t improve and what actually helps people recover. John shares his journey into rehabilitation after seeing a close family member struggle with recovery, and how that experience shaped the way he now approaches treatment. Today, John works across workplace rehabilitation, combining exercise physiology and chiropractic care, and supporting injured workers, employers, and organisations including the Australian Defence Force. This episode covers: • Why movement plays a key role in injury recovery • The difference between exercise physiologists, chiropractors, osteopaths, and physiotherapists • Why staying off work too long can delay recovery • What happens during case conferences in workplace rehabilitation • How return-to-work planning supports long-term health outcomes • Real-world insights into workplace testing and rehabilitation systems If you’ve been injured at work, or supporting someone through recovery, this episode gives a practical view of how rehabilitation works and what can slow progress. Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction 2:21 – Who is John Beshay 8:56 – EP vs chiropractor vs osteopath vs physiotherapist 11:05 – How qualifications influence treatment 18:55 – Early challenges in occupational rehab  20:14 – Return to life before return to work 29:49 – Why movement is critical for recovery 40:47 – When recovery takes longer than expected 47:30 – Workplace testing and real-world examples 1:08:26 – Working with the Australian Defence Force 1:16:07 – Challenges in veteran rehabilitation 🔗 Listen & Connect Catch every episode early! Subscribe free on Spotify: https://sptfy.bio/behindtheclaims and Apple: https://apple.co/48Etptt Connect with our guest, John Beshay, to learn more about rehabilitation and return-to-work strategies: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-beshay-7a7b404b/ 📲 Need help with your workplace injury recovery? Call us on 1300 391 947 or visit our website 👉 https://www.ausrehab.com/ 📣 Follow us for more  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ausrehab/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AusRehab  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausrehab/  Website: https://www.ausrehab.com/  Email: marketing@ausrehab.com  Podcast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWSvHJb6Zuk43NnqhjwVNsjLysoZRQx6y #WorkplaceInjury #InjuryRecovery #ReturnToWork #ExercisePhysiologist #Chiropractor #WorkplaceRehabilitation #WorkersComp #AusRehab

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Behind the Claims Podcast brings you real stories and straight answers on workplace injuries, breaking down the workers compensation system. For everyone who's been injured at work, employers, healthcare workers, and support people who want to help. Listen in, learn more, stay ahead! Website: www.ausrehab.com Email: marketing@ausrehab.com Instagram: @ausrehab

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