The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centre for Research Excellence in Better Health Outcomes for Compensable Injury (CRE) held their symposium on 17 June 2025, bringing together approximately 300 attendees in person and online, including researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and consumers, as well as Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) staff.
The CRE involves researchers from the MAIC-funded UQ RECOVER Injury Research Centre, and this event highlighted innovative approaches to improving recovery outcomes for compensable injuries.
A diverse range of research topics was discussed, including mental health and impacts on recovery, artificial intelligence and pain management, telehealth in physiotherapy, predictive models around those at risk of longer CTP claims and challenges in legal costs and services.
There was also a presentation on the Whiplash Navigator which integrates tools like WhipPredict (RECOVER researchers involved in development), value-based healthcare, and stress inoculation training within a stratified, bundled care model. The collaboration between Suncorp and Axis Rehabilitation was showcased as a critical contributor to improving recovery pathways for whiplash injuries and is based on putting these tools developed through research into practice.
Jo Costello, MAIC Manager of Scheme Monitoring, participated in a panel discussion on Barriers to Research Implementation in the CTP Insurance Space, receiving positive feedback for her insights. The symposium also highlighted the CRE’s partnerships with interstate universities, particularly Monash, which bring diverse expertise to enhance research outcomes.
The event also reinforced the value of our ongoing funding to UQ RECOVER, which continues to deliver strong returns by fostering impactful collaborations and driving innovation in injury recovery research.
