Respiratory disability assessment: when the pulmonary examination determines livelihood.
The system which determines who among those with respiratory impairment will qualify for disability benefits stands in need of change. Physicians need clearer criteria by which to ascribe occupational cause to impairment. Suggestions from experts should be shared and implemented more extensively. And practices of governmental agencies should be standardized to eliminate unfairness to both beneficiaries and taxpayers.
D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004608:Eligibility Determination / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000191:economics*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States; D014942:Workers' Compensation