Engaging with the WSIB/insurance systems 2

Session details

Date:

Time:

12:00pm - 1:30pm (Toronto time)

Location:

Zoom videoconferencing

Didactic presentation by:

Aaron Thompson

Session objectives

At the end of this session, participants should be able to:

  1. Describe health care programs provided by the WSIB and how to leverage them for your patients
  2. Explain how return to work services function at the WSIB

Session resources

Administration of the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test
A graded treadmill test to rule out autonomic dysfunction in concussion. Source: Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
Cervical Injury Assessments for Concussion Evaluation: A Review
Cheever K, Kawata K, Tierney R, Galgon A. Cervical Injury Assessments for Concussion Evaluation: A Review. J Athl Train. 2016 Dec;51(12):1037-1044. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-51.12.15. Source: PubMed Central
Didactic presentation: Engaging with the WSIB/insurance systems 2
In this presentation, Dr. Aaron Thompson describes health care programs provided by the WSIB and how to leverage them for your patients and how return to work services function at WSIB.
ECHO Concussion
ECHO Concussion covers topics related to persisting concussion symptoms, in children and adults, as well as diagnosis of acute and chronic concussion. The ECHO program is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive approach to concussion diagnosis and symptom management across the continuum. Source: University Health Network
ECHO Concussion - Management Strategy: Exercise as Medicine
Connor Massimo (PT) describes evidence-based approaches for the use of exercise in concussion management. Source: ECHO Concussion YouTube channel
Impact of a New Program of Care for Work-Related Mild Traumatic Brain Injury on Recovery and Return to Work
Chechulin Y, Nanwa N, Leddy JJ, Thompson AMS. Impact of a New Program of Care for Work-Related Mild Traumatic Brain Injury on Recovery and Return to Work. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2025 Apr 16. doi: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000001055. Epub ahead of print. Source: PubMed
Living concussion guidelines
The Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation (ONF) initiated this project in 2008 with the overall objective to create a guideline that can be used by healthcare professionals to implement evidence-based, best-practice care of individuals who incur a concussion and experience prolonged symptoms. To ensure the guideline is informed by the current best available evidence, particularly in a field where the literature is ever evolving, the newest version is now a living guideline. Living guidelines are updated as evidence becomes available. Source: The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
The Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire
A measure of the severity of symptoms commonly experienced after head injury. Source: Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
WSIB New Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Program of Care
The Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Program of Care (mTBI POC) is a community-based health care program designed for early care of injured people with non-complex mTBI/concussion to help them recover and return to or stay at work. Source: Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
WSIB Operational Policy - Cannabis for medical purposes
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines that govern entitlement to, review of and payment for medical cannabis. Source: Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
Young workers – Employer’s responsibilities
Information for young workers on employer responsibilities for health and safety in the workplace. Source: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
Young workers: Protect yourself at work
A guide for young workers on their rights and responsibilities in the workplace. Source: Government of Canada

About presenter

Dr. Aaron Thompson, an occupational medicine specialist, is the chief medical officer of the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). He is also an assistant professor in the Faculty of Medicine with a cross-appointment to the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, and a former director of the Occupational Medicine Residency Training Program at the University of Toronto. His clinical practice is based at St. Michael’s Hospital, where he is a staff physician in the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health.

Thompson conducts research in both clinical occupational medicine and disability management, with a focus on improving return-to-work (RTW) programs. He brings specialized expertise by providing a clinical perspective on the needs/gaps in existing communication and accommodation tools, and by providing input on how to optimize tools to facilitate effective and sustained work/RTW through effective accommodations that minimize and prevent disability.

Case presentations

Most of the learning in ECHO happens through presenting and discussing case presentations. If you have a case you would like to present, please submit a completed case presentation form to the ECHO OEM project coordinator.

Physicians presenting a case may bill OHIP for case conferences (billing codes K707 or K701).