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Back impairment and disability determination. Another attempt at objective, reliable rating
W L Clark1, S Haldeman, P Johnson
1Medical Bureau, Division of Industrial Accidents, State of California, San Francisco.
Spine
|March 1, 1988
Summary
New low back impairment schedules, developed from medical literature and specialist input, significantly reduce differences between examiners. This scientifically valid approach offers a more objective and consistent disability rating for injured workers.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Occupational Medicine
- Disability Evaluation
Background:
- Current low back disability evaluation schedules lack scientific basis.
- Existing methods result in significant interexaminer variability.
- Need for a more objective and consistent impairment rating system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a new, scientifically-based impairment schedule for low back disability.
- To reduce interexaminer differences in disability ratings.
- To create a more objective and consistent system for low back impairment evaluation.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of existing medical literature on low back impairment.
- Consensus building through the input of numerous back specialists.
- Comparative testing of the new schedule against the California disability rating schedule.
Main Results:
- The new impairment schedule demonstrated a significant reduction in interexaminer differences.
- The developed schedule showed improved objectivity and scientific validity.
- The schedule is adaptable to various legal disability rating systems.
Conclusions:
- The new low back impairment schedule offers a more objective, scientifically valid, and consistent method for disability evaluation.
- Implementation of this schedule can lead to reduced litigation and increased fairness for workers and employers.
- The schedule is designed for easy adaptation to evolving medical knowledge.