AMA Guides® Newsletter - Issue Archive

Articles

1. International Use of the AMA Guides® to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment

   Mohammed I. Ranavaya, Christopher R. Brigham

   Pages 3–8

   DOI: 10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2020.MarApr01

   Abstract

   Since its inception more than six decades ago, the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, (AMA Guides), has become internationally accepted as a global benchmark and is used in the United States, Canada, certain European countries, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, and Southern Africa, as well as by the United Nations. When the AMA Guides, Sixth Edition, adopted the terminology and conceptual framework of disablement developed by the World Health Organization, this paradigm shift let to an increase in the worldwide influence and use of the AMA Guides. In the United States, the AMA Guides is used primarily in state and federal workers’ compensation systems and sometimes in automobile casualty and personal injury arenas. Most workers’ compensation jurisdictions across Canada use the AMA Guides formally by statute or regulation, or they accept its use informally as a standard tool to rate impairment. In Australia, the AMA Guides is used in both federal and individual state or territory compensation schemes for personal injuries that arise from work, as well as motor vehicle accidents (a table presents uses of the AMA Guides in Australian jurisdictions). New Zealand uses the AMA Guides, Fourth Edition, and the ACC User Handbook to the AMA “Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment,” Fourth Edition. The AMA Guides is used in Hong Kong to evaluate all types of damages for personal injury claims and also is referenced in Southern Africa, Europe, and countries in the Middle East.
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2. Fundamental Principles of Independent Medical Examination

   Steven Feinberg, Christopher R. Brigham

   Pages 9–9

   DOI: 10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2020.MarApr02

   Abstract

   An independent medical evaluation (IME) is a specialized examination or evaluation best performed by a physician who has special training and experience in assessing issues unique to an IME. IMEs must be independent, and opinions should be consistent and impartial and based on evidence-based medicine. An IME includes the essential elements of a medical assessment, including a history, a physical examination (usually), and review of records and studies, followed by clinical impressions or diagnoses, and then by recommendations. The medical assessment may include other practitioners, eg, psychologists and chiropractors. Depending on the referral request, the IME typically discusses disability (the definition depends on the local jurisdiction) based on deficits in the person's activities of daily living. In the IME, the evaluator may be asked to consider claims issues that include causation, apportionment, impairment, work ability, appropriateness, and costs of medical care and/or future needs. The physician who performs the examination does not provide care to the individual and provides medical opinions about issues associated with the case. Impartiality, objectivity, and an understanding of medicolegal issues are required of the evaluator. IME reports are not confidential and likely will be read by many stakeholders in a claim. Accordingly, nonmedical personnel should find it easy to read and understand the IME.
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3. Q&A: Converting Cervical Spine Rating to Back Rating

   Christopher R. Brigham, Charles N. Brooks, James F. Talmage

   Pages 10–10

   DOI: 10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2020.MarApr03

4. Q&A: Rating Pubis Injury Using the Fifth Edition

   Christopher R. Brigham, Charles N. Brooks, James F. Talmage

   Pages 11–11

   DOI: 10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2020.MarApr04