Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Sixth Edition

Looking for the most up-to-date guidelines for correct impairment evaluation? Look no further than the Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Sixth Edition. This publication, updated in July 2009, incorporates the Clarifications and Corrections document to provide physicians with the most current information available. With the word "Reprint" clearly indicated on the outside back cover of reprinted copies, you can rest assured that you are getting the latest edition.

The Guides Sixth, from the American Medical Association, emphasizes the fundamental skills physicians need to evaluate and communicate patient impairments. Utilizing a standardized methodology across each chapter, this book enhances the relevancy of impairment ratings, improves internal consistency, and promotes ease of application to the rating process. This ordered method allows busy physicians to become proficient in rating multiple organ systems, while also anticipating the organization of each chapter.

Applying both terminology from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and an analytical framework based on it, the Guides Sixth generates five impairment classes. This allows for the rating of patients from no impairment to most severe. Each organ system is provided with a diagnosis-based grid that arranges commonly used ICD-9 diagnoses within the five classes of impairment severity, based on consensus-based criteria. By integrating functionally based histories, physical findings, and objective clinical test results, physicians can determine the grade within the impairment class, resulting in a transparent and reproducible decision-making process.

The Guides Sixth offers many key features that set it apart. With the latest scientific research and evolving medical opinions provided by nationally and internationally-recognized experts, this book ensures that physicians are utilizing the most up-to-date information available. The standardized approach across organ systems and chapters promotes consistency, while the expanded use of a diagnostic approach helps physicians consider relevant clinical tests and outcomes in performing the rating. With clear and step-by-step grading instructions in each chapter, physician consistency is improved, and impairment ratings are more reliable.

Additionally, the Guides Sixth presents a simplified methodology between chapters, utilizing contemporary evidence-based concepts and terminology of disablement from the ICF. This transparent process allows the evaluator to document functional assessment, clinical tests, and physician findings for a comprehensive rating. To further assist physicians, uniform grids are provided to facilitate the calculation of impairment ratings, streamlining the evaluation process.

Don't miss out on having the most current guidelines at your fingertips. Purchase the Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Sixth Edition today and stay ahead in accurate impairment evaluation.

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