At Institutes of Health, our Speakers Bureau offers a range of insightful presentations designed to address the most pressing challenges in workers’ compensation and public safety. Each topic is crafted to provide you with the knowledge and tools needed to enhance outcomes and improve partnerships within your organization. Click on any of the topics below to learn more:
Three reversible epidemics drive the majority of costs in Workers’ Compensation: Chronic Pain, Brain Injury, and PTSI. Chronic pain alone drives nearly 80% of the overall costs in the system. Nationwide, over 100 million Americans suffer chronic pain at a cost of over $625 billion annually, yet according to the landmark study of the Institute of Medicine, only 5 of the Nation’s 133 medical schools provided any curriculum on the treatment of chronic pain. Despite the fact that all three epidemics and their associated disability and costs can be systematically reversed, evidence-based treatment is not routinely available – until now.
Implementing evidence-based best practices ensures the greatest impact on accelerating improved outcomes and reversing the overall cost of claims. Best practices guidelines are found in such compendiums as that of the American College of Occupational & Environmental Medicine (ACOEM), the Official Disability Guidelines (ODG), and generally following the hierarchy of evidence, a core principle of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP).
This presentation will demonstrate how to systematically reverse chronic pain syndromes, disability, and the overall cost of claims using evidence-based treatment and biometric telehealth. The goal is to explain how even complex PTSD/PTSI and related disability can be systematically reversed, facilitate and accelerate return-to-work, help patients increase career longevity and overall improvement in their quality of life.
Brain injury is often referred to as a “silent epidemic,” as it is not well understood by the general public nor by many healthcare professionals. Often, people with a brain injury have not been properly diagnosed, and have not received treatment essential to healing. As a result, individuals are often over-medicalized, with a corresponding increase in disability, with costs and lost productivity estimated at $76.5 billion annually. This panel presentation will demonstrate how advanced biopsychosocial systems are employed to dramatically improve diagnosis, treatment, accelerate MMI and decrease overall costs.
This presentation will discuss how advanced diagnostic methods are employed to diagnose whether or not a brain injury occurred, how to identify the best type of treatment to improve outcomes, and how transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary treatment and case management with stakeholders can accelerate MMI/P&S and decrease overall costs.
PTSI devastates lives. The good news is, with expert treatment, PTSI can be systematically reversed. The lifetime prevalence of PTSI in the general population is approximately 8% and can be higher in some professions (estimated at 37% among firefighters). Additionally, approximately 80% of individuals with PTSI have a comorbid disorder including depression. If left untreated suicidal ideation and behavior can become a critical issue. Even when suicide does not occur, untreated PTSI can lead to poor physical health including hypertension, impaired decision-making, problems in the workplace and needless disability. This conversational style presentation will discuss the targeted support and treatment offerings available for patients suffering from PTSI and other related issues.
The use of chronic, high dose opiates for long term pain control was the standard of care less than 10 years ago. Because patients rapidly develop a tolerance to addictive medications, the dose had to be increased over and over to maintain any control over pain. Eventually, the pain control is negligible, but the side effects are serious and life-threatening. Moreover, individuals on chronic opiates experience more pain and disability.
The fact is that injured workers actually have less pain and disability after chronic opiates have been stopped completely. Patients become physically healthier and are mentally able to participate more effectively in treatment, and then in their lives once again.
This presentation will discuss the physiologic effects of opiates and the management of opiate detoxification along with alternative, non-addicting treatments for pain. Other topics addressed are the side effects of addictive substances causing impairment in cognitive function that block the capacity to learn new coping strategies, physical impairments that are aggravated by opiate dependence, along with the cutting-edge strategies for reversing this damage. A final component of this presentation will be the use of Biometric Telehealth to monitor patients during detoxification, evaluate the quality of their sleep, and the documentation of improvement in levels of agitation and physical distress.
On a daily basis First Responders experience repeated exposure to traumatic events that, over months and years, accumulate and are known to result in post-traumatic stress (disorder), depression, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse, chronic pain, and insomnia. Although they spend their careers helping others, they are often reluctant to ask for help and at times when they do, their conditions are not well understood.
The purpose of this presentation is to help understand the importance of your role as a partner in public safety by enhancing your understanding about the inherent risks to public safety personnel, current vulnerabilities they face, and learning about best evidence-based practices that allow for improving clinical outcomes and accelerating MMI. Working in partnership, risk managers, public safety personnel, and our care providers can significantly improve our collective reputation, enhance service delivery, and assist all in being better stewards of our budgets. This conversational style presentation includes a united force of risk management, law enforcement, fire-rescue, and medical perspectives which will discuss the essential components of public safety wellness programs and evidenced-based treatment protocols for first responders that can help achieve career longevity, overall improvement in the quality of life and the systematic decrease in the cost of claims.
First Responders experience daily exposure to traumatic events that, over months and years, accumulate and are known to result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse, chronic pain, and insomnia. Although they spend their careers helping others, this group of workers are often reluctant to ask for help and when they do, their conditions are often not well understood. This session highlights the successes of a unique partnership between City of San Diego and Institutes of Health, an organization specializing in the delivery of biopsychosocial care. Panelists will underscore the importance of your role as a partner in public safety by enhancing your understanding about the inherent risks to public safety personnel, the current vulnerabilities they face, and learning about best evidence-based practices that allow for improving clinical outcomes and accelerating MMI. Expert panelists include important perspectives from risk management, law enforcement, fire rescue, as well as medical perspectives. They will discuss the essential components of public safety wellness programs and evidenced-based treatment protocols for first responders that can support career longevity, overall improvement in the quality of life and an overall decrease in the cost of claims. The City of San Diego, one of the largest self-insured and self-administered workers’ compensation programs in the state of California, will discuss their unique fast-track wellness program developed specifically to support their first responders. They will share the history of their wellness program; how they implemented it; the importance of cultural competency and partnership and the positive outcomes achieved since establishing their program. The audience will gain a clear understanding of how the biopsychosocial care model can be used successfully with injured worker populations and how working in partnership, with risk managers, public safety personnel, and clinical care providers can significantly enhance their “service” delivery to injured workers, improve public safety and become better stewards of public entity budgets.
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Arugula is packed with vitamins A, K, and folate, and it’s a great way to reduce inflammation while hydrating your body. Add it to your salads, bowls, or smoothies for a fresh, peppery kick that supports your health with every bite.
Artichokes are rich in folic acid, vitamin C, and B vitamins, making them perfect for detoxification and boosting metabolism. Keep it simple—boil them, dip in garlic-infused olive oil, and enjoy the health benefits they bring.
Asparagus is a powerhouse of vitamin K and antioxidants. It nourishes your heart and bones while also helping to prevent cancer. Sauté it with garlic and extra virgin olive oil for a nutrient-dense side dish that embodies the freshness of spring.
Beets help with circulation, detoxification, and stamina—making them an ideal choice for recovery. Roast them, juice them, or spiralize them to enjoy their earthy sweetness and health benefits in any meal.
Carrots are packed with vitamin A and antioxidants, which support healthy skin, hair, and nails. Enjoy them raw, chopped into salads, or spiralized for a healthy pasta alternative—there’s no wrong way to eat them.
Mint is more than just a refreshing herb. It helps soothe digestion, reduce allergy symptoms, and act as a natural decongestant. Add it to your water or smoothies, or use it as a garnish to enhance your dishes with a burst of freshness.
Peas are an excellent anti-inflammatory food, full of vitamins, minerals, and protein. They’re perfect for tossing into stir-fries, salads, or soups, or even enjoying as a simple snack.
Strawberries are packed with antioxidants that help balance blood sugar and support your immune system. Fresh, frozen, or drizzled with dark chocolate, they’re the perfect treat to satisfy your cravings while nourishing your body.
These vibrant onions are full of polyphenols and flavonoids, which fight oxidative stress and support disease prevention. Use them raw in salads or caramelized as a side dish—either way, they’ll add flavor and health benefits to your meal.
Radishes are fantastic detoxifiers, cleansing the stomach and liver while also supporting hydration and skin health. Slice them thin for a refreshing salad, roast them for a savory twist, or add them to your favorite quinoa dish.
By adding these seasonal spring foods to your meals, you’re not just eating—you’re nourishing your body with the nutrients it needs to heal and thrive. Eating fresh, local produce is one of the simplest ways to support your health and recovery. Head to your local farmer’s market and experience the true taste of spring—your body will thank you!
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As the fall season brings cooler weather and holiday celebrations, it’s the perfect time to focus on the wide variety of nutrient-rich whole foods available. Health and prevention thrive on a diverse diet, emphasizing plant-based ingredients, fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and legumes. Whether preparing holiday dishes or everyday meals, these foods can be easily integrated into your diet for long-term health benefits.
You can support long-term health and wellness by incorporating a variety of nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, and legumes into your holiday meals and daily diet. Whether you’re roasting Brussels sprouts, baking sweet potatoes, or adding walnuts and cranberries to a festive dish, these foods will enhance your seasonal recipes and provide essential nutrients for a balanced, heart-healthy diet. This fall, celebrate the season by nourishing your body with nature’s most wholesome ingredients and enjoy the benefits they bring all year.
Summer presents a prime opportunity for embracing healthier eating habits, especially beneficial for those managing chronic pain. This season offers an abundance of vibrant fruits and vegetables rich in phytonutrients—natural compounds known for their antioxidant properties, which support overall health and help reduce inflammation. Let’s embark on a delicious journey towards better health and function!
“Eating the rainbow” entails consuming a diverse array of colorful produce, each color group offering unique health benefits:
Eating an abundance of colorful fruits and vegetables supports sustainable pain management and enhances the microbiome to improve gut-brain health and function. The compounds contained in these foods are known for their protective anti-inflammatory properties and support innate antioxidant defenses, which are crucial for health and sustained function (Smith et al., 2019; Adams & White, 2020; Brown & Green, 2017; Jones et al., 2016). Research demonstrates a strong connection between gut health and brain function, suggesting that a diet rich in these phytonutrients improves cognitive function and mood regulation (Miller & Smith, 2018). These foods promote physical well-being and a healthy gut-brain axis, enhancing overall health and vitality.
The abundant availability of these foods during summer invites experimentation to improve nutrient intake that can help manage chronic pain while enjoying delicious meals. Incorporate them into various recipes and meal combinations to maximize health benefits and flavor.
