The independent medical examination.
The physiatrist, owing to expertise in impairment and disability analysis, is able to offer the medicolegal process considerable assistance. This chapter describes the scope and process of the independent medical examination (IME) and provides an overview of its component parts. Practical guidelines are provided for performing a physiatric IME of professional standard, and for serving as an impartial, expert witness. Caveats are described regarding testifying and medicolegal ethical issues along with practice management advice.
Ameis
Arthur
A
Multi-Disciplinary Assessment Centre (MDAC), 3200 Dufferin Street, Suite 500, Toronto, ON M6A 2T3, Canada. drameis@mdacentre.com
Zasler
Nathan D
ND
D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003657:Decision Making; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005104:Expert Testimony; D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation