AMA Guides® Newsletter - Issue Archive

Articles

1. Silicosis Among Immigrant Engineered Stone (Quartz) Countertop Fabrication Workers in California

   Jane C. Fazio, Sheiphali A. Gandhi, Jennifer Flattery, Amy Heinzerling, Nader Kamangar, Nawal Afif, Kristin J. Cummings, Robert J. Harrison

   Pages 1–3

   DOI: 10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2024.JanFeb01

   Key Points

   Question

   What are the characteristics of patients in California with silicosis from occupational exposure to dust from engineered stone (quartz), a popular material that is high in silica content and that is used to fabricate countertops?

   Findings

   In this case series of 52 patients, the median age was 45 years at diagnosis, and nearly all were Latino immigrant men. Diagnosis was delayed in 58%, with 38% presenting with advanced disease (progressive massive fibrosis), and 19% died.

   Meaning

   In California, silicosis associated with occupational exposure to dust from engineered stone primarily occurred among young Latino immigrant men; many patients presented with severe disease, and some cases were fatal.
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2. A Primer for Workers' Compensation

   Jesse E. Bible, Dan M. Spengler, Hassan R. Mir

   Pages 4–22

   DOI: 10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2024.JanFeb02

   Abstract

   Background Context:

   A physician's role within a workers' compensation injury extends far beyond just evaluation and treatment with several socioeconomic and psychological factors at play when compared to similar injuries occurring outside of the workplace. Although workers' compensation statutes vary among states, all have several basic features with the overall goal of returning the injured worker to maximal function in the shortest time period, with the least residual disability and shortest time away from work.

   Purpose:

   To help physicians unfamiliar with the workers' compensation process accomplish these goals.

   Study Design:

   Review.

   Methods:

   Educational review.

   Results:

   The streamlined review addresses the topics of 1) Why is Workers' Compensation Necessary? 2) What does Workers' Compensation Cover? 3) Progression following Work Injury 4) Impairment and Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), including how to use the 6^th edition of American Medical Association's (AMA) Guides, 5) Completion of Work Injury Claim after Impairment Rating, 6) Independent Medical Evaluation, and 7) Causation.

   Conclusions:

   In the ‘no-fault’ workers' compensation system, physicians play a key role is progressing the claim along and, more importantly, getting the injured worker back to work as soon as safely possible. Physicians should remain familiar with the workers' compensation process, along with how to properly utilize the AMA Guides.
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