Education and Engagement to Improve Outcomes

Author: Brian Allen

Feb 15, 2022

There’s an old adage: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In the workplace, this typically refers to safety training and ergonomic practices aimed at preventing injuries. Since its creation in 1911, the Georgia Department of Labor has worked to uphold such safety measures, and federal standards followed with the establishment of OSHA in 1971. One key principle of safety is education—training employees to do their jobs safely. But what about after an injury occurs? What form of “prevention” can help recovery?

Emerging research highlights the value of patient education and engagement in injury recovery and surgical preparation. The “Four Pillars of Recovery”—mindset, nutrition, physical activity, and rest—are shown to significantly improve outcomes yet are rarely emphasized in traditional treatment plans.

After a workplace injury, employees often face fear, frustration, and uncertainty. Helping them stay positive and focused on recovery is critical. Research published in Arthroscopy (Dec. 2024) by Berthold and Boorman found that “high psychological resilience plays an important role in achieving a positive postoperative outcome.” Supporting mindset can lead to better mental health, less pain, and improved function.

Nutrition is another often-overlooked factor. A 2025 study in the Healthcare Journal (Basel) reported that 24–65% of surgical patients are malnourished or at risk—not due to hunger, but from eating the wrong types of food. Proper education can help employees understand the nutritional needs essential for healing and withstanding surgery.”

Physical activity is generally understood to help recovery, but few recognize the benefits before surgery. According to the UK’s Centre for Perioperative Care, pre-surgery exercise can cut the risk of complications by around 40%. With the right tools and guidance, employees can be encouraged to safely stay active before and after surgery.

Rest is also crucial—but it must be quality rest. True rest isn’t opioid-induced sedation or passive inactivity. It’s sleep that follows a balanced, active day, allowing the body to focus energy on healing. Education can help employees understand and prioritize this form of rest.

A comprehensive patient education program that addresses these four pillars—mindset, nutrition, physical activity, and rest—can help injured employees stay intentionally focused on recovery. For those needing extra support, peer-to-peer coaching can enhance engagement. Dr. Melissa Tonn of OccMD in Dallas, TX, reports 10–30% better outcomes using an education and engagement program.

Injured workers want to recover—they just need to know how. An ounce of education and engagement early in the recovery process can help save a pound of costs related to a protracted return to work.

Educate – Engage – Optimize.