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The newly revised Guides to the Evaluation
of Permanent Impairment, Sixth Edition, from
the American Medical Association, emphasizes the
fundamental skills physicians need to evaluate
and communicate patient impairments. It is essential that you understand the profound impact of this
innovative approach.
We encourage you
to register today for the upcoming
seminars and
online
training series.
You may also
view a complimentary introduction to the Sixth
Edition (38 minutes in duration); this will
provide you with an orientation to the Sixth
Edition and demonstrates the high quality
training that we provide.
We also
encourage you to complete our survey on the
Sixth Edition.
Standardized methodology is applied to each
chapter to enhance the relevancy of impairment
ratings, improve internal consistency and
promote ease of application to the rating
process. This ordered method enables busy
physicians to become proficient with the ratings
for multiple organ systems and anticipate how
each chapter is organized and assimilates
information.
The sixth edition applies both terminology
from and an analytical framework based on the
International Classification of Functioning,
Disability and Health (ICF), to generate five
impairment classes which permit the rating of
the patient from no impairment to most severe. A
diagnosis-based grid has been developed for each
organ system. The grid arranges commonly used
ICD-9 diagnoses within the five classes of
impairment severity, according to the
consensus-based dominant criterion.
Functionally based histories, physical
findings and broadly accepted objective clinical
test results are integrated where applicable to
help physicians determine the grade within the
impairment class. The result is a decision that
is both transparent and reproducible.
Using the latest evidence in diagnosis and
clinical tests, the new Sixth Edition offers the
following key features:
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Standardized approach across
organ systems and chapters |
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Expanded use of diagnostic
approach to help physicians consider relevant
clinical tests and patient outcomes in
performing the rating |
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Required clinical information
needed to rate a given condition |
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Clear step-by-step grading
instructions in each chapter to promote
consistent scoring of impairment ratings and to
improve physician consistency |
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Simplified methodology
presented between chapters |
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Contemporary, evidence-based
concepts and terminology of disablement from the
ICF |
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The latest scientific research
and evolving medical opinion provided by
nationally and internationally recognized
experts |
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More comprehensive and
expanded diagnostic approach |
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Transparent process to allow
the evaluator to document functional assessment,
clinical tests and physical findings |
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Uniform grids to help
physicians calculate impairment ratings
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