A Guide On Independent Orthopedic Evaluations

Medical examinations are a valuable tool for you since they determine if your patient has a health condition. Independent medical examinations are essential in providing a fresh view of a patient's health status since the person performing them does not know the patient's history. The outcomes of an independent medical examination have a significant impact on the results of a case. If you stand a chance of challenging the doctor's report, an independent medical examination is your best option. This article explores a few tips for you as you subject the plaintiff to an independent medical examination.

Credentials 

The independent medical examiner should have all the necessary credentials for practicing medicine. Neither party will benefit from the independent medical examination if the examiner is not well-versed in the specialties or subspecialties that apply to the case. For example, you would not hire a general practitioner to handle a case involving trauma to the head. A neurologist would have more qualifications to handle issues of the brain and nerves than the general practitioner. In addition, the practitioner should have a license as a practicing physician. The last thing you want for your case is to obtain a report that favors you, only to have the judge dismiss it based on the practitioner's credentials. 

Patient History

Independent medical examinations are quick since the examiner is not responsible to treat the plaintiff. Therefore, the examiner could benefit from proper records that show the patient's treatment history. Ensure the patient comes with the documents containing details of any diagnosis, treatment, tests, and other facts regarding their injuries. Such preparation is essential since it shows that the plaintiff's side of the case is transparent. The doctor incorporates the details of the patient's medical history into the final report. 

Ethics

Whether you are an attorney or insurance adjuster, your ethical standards should be beyond reproach. Similarly, you should hire a physician who abides by the ethical standards of their practice. Physicians must assist in administering justice, and you should ensure the process does not corrupt the physician. In most cases, the defense pays the people who order the independent medical examinations. Therefore, all parties should learn the ethical standards that govern independent medical tests to prevent an ethical problem. In the end, you should know that the physician has dire consequences on the outcomes of the case, and ethics will always ensure justice and truth prevail.

Communication is Key

Even though the medical examiner has no doctor-patient relationship with the patient, the doctor should not rush the process. The plaintiff has a right to communicate all material facts to the doctor. For example, what is the scope of the injury's permanency? What is the potential cause of the damage? What is the degree of disability? The examiner can recognize any forms of exaggeration or understatement. Therefore, if the patient misrepresents the injuries, the doctor will know where to press. Ensure that your patient is free to communicate and vocalize limitations, pain, or injuries. 

You should conduct independent medical examinations on a plaintiff using an accredited doctor. Ensure all parties abide by the ethical standards in their fields. The plaintiff should carry documents showing their medical history and communicate all relevant facts with the medical examiner.