Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Dr Michael Di Donato is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Healthy Working Lives Research Group at the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University. His doctoral studies explored the interaction between income support systems and healthcare for workers with low back pain.
Dr Di Donato’s research seeks to understand the impact of policy changes on healthcare service use and social welfare outcomes in compensated workers, to create readily reportable indicators of quality of care delivered to workers with low back pain, and continue development of a large scale health service research database. His areas of interest include social welfare and income support systems, healthcare delivery and quality for low back pain, and how compensation system policy influences worker disability and recovery.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Bachelor of Physiotherapy Advanced - Research (Honours)
2013 → 2016
Research area keywords
- Workers Compensation
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Low Back Pain
- Musculoskeletal Diseases
- Public Health Policy
- Social Welfare
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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Australia and New Zealand Low Back Pain Research Network Research Exchange Stipend
Di Donato, M. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)) & Maharjan, P. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/08/25 → 15/08/25
Project: Research
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Mental health injury and illness insights, and the impact on Australian workplaces
Collie, A. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Sheehan, L. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Di Donato, M. (Chief Investigator (CI))
17/02/25 → 25/03/25
Project: Research
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Compensable Health and Medicine micro-credential
Collie, A. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Di Donato, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Van Vreden, C. (Project Manager)
12/09/24 → 30/06/25
Project: Research
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RED104 - Workplace Rehabilitation Provider Evaluation
Wise, P. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Di Donato, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Collie, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Gibbs, R. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Saxton, S. (Chief Investigator (CI))
15/07/24 → 31/03/25
Project: Research
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Delivering better value care by exercise physiologists in the NSW workers’ compensation scheme (Phase 1)
Gray, S. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Di Donato, M. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Collie, A. (Chief Investigator (CI))
Exercise and Sports Science Australia Ltd
22/05/24 → 22/11/24
Project: Research
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A realist review of rural pain management: comprehensive and practical
Di Donato, M., Jun 2025, In: Pain. 166, 6, p. 1217-1218 2 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment / Debate › Other › peer-review
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Can General Practitioner Opioid Prescribing to Compensated Workers with Low Back Pain Be Detected Using Administrative Payments Data? An Exploratory Study
Vo, J., Gray, S., Traeger, A. C. & Di Donato, M., Mar 2025, In: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 35, 1, p. 48-53 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
Changes in Pregabalin Dispensing to Australians with Workers’ Compensation Claims for Low Back Pain Following the Listing of Pregabalin on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Di Donato, M. F. (Leading Author), Abdel Shaheed, C., Collie, A. (Leading Author), Maher, C. G. & Mathieson, S., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
Early High-Risk Opioid Prescribing and Persistent Opioid Use in Australian Workers with Workers’ Compensation Claims for Back and Neck Musculoskeletal Disorders or Injuries: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Tefera, Y. G. (Leading Author), Gray, S., Nielsen, S., Di Donato, M. & Collie, A. (Leading Author), 2025, In: CNS Drugs. 39, p. 499–512 14 p., 104053.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
Factors Associated with the Timing of Initial Visit to Healthcare Providers for Injured Workers with Low Back Pain Claims: A Multijurisdiction Retrospective Cohort
Mekonnen, T. H., Russell, G., Sheehan, L. R., Collie, A. & Di Donato, M. (Leading Author), 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 11 p., e316.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access
Prizes
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Best Early-Mid Career Poster Presentation, 18th International Forum for Back and Neck Pain Research in Primary Care
Di Donato, M. (Recipient), 1 Sept 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)