How independent are independent psychological examinations? A workers' compensation dilemma.

Tsushima, William T.; Foote, Rebecca; Merrill, Thomas S.; Lehrke, Sue A.

doi:10.1037/0735-7028.27.6.626

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 5 publications

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“…This is consistent with findings from other studies showing that if patients’ expectations about being met with empathy and respect are fulfilled [ 29 ], they may feel positive about the encounter regardless of the outcome [ 30 ]. Other studies have described an iatrogenic harm to vulnerable sick-listed workers after IMEs [ 13 , 31 ], which was not supported by our findings. However, we speculate that the affirmative IME consultations may have led to consolidation of the participants’ sick role.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 98%

Sick-listed workers’ expectations about and experiences with independent medical evaluation: a qualitative interview study from Norway

Aamland

Mæland

2018

Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care

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Purpose: To reduce the country’s sick leave rate, Norwegian politicians have suggested independent medical evaluations (IMEs) for sick-listed workers. IME was tested in a large, randomized controlled trial in one Norwegian county (Evaluation of IME in Norway, or ‘the NIME trial’). The current study´s aim was to explore sick-listed workers’ expectations about and experiences with participating in an IME. Material and methods: Nine individual semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted. Our convenience sample included six women and three men, aged 35–59 years, who had diverse medical reasons for being on sick leave. Systematic text condensation was used for analysis. Results: The participants questioned both the IME purpose and timing, but felt a moral obligation to participate. Inadequate information provided by their general practitioner (GP) to the IME doctor was considered burdensome by several participants. However, most participants appreciated the IME as a positive discussion, even if they did not feel it had any impact on their follow-up or return-to-work process. Conclusions: According to the sick-listed workers the IMEs were administered too late and disturbed already initiated treatment processes and return to work efforts. Still, the consultation with the IME doctor was rated as a positive encounter, contrary to their expectations. Our results diverge from findings in other countries where experiences with IME consultations have been reported as predominantly negative. These findings, along with additional, upcoming evaluations, will serve as a basis for the Norwegian government’s decision about whether to implement IMEs on a regular basis.Key points Independent medical evaluations for sick-listed workers has been tested out in a large Norwegian RCT and will be evaluated through qualitative interviews with participating stakeholders and by assessing the effects on RTW and costs/benefits. In this study, we explored sick-listed workers’ expectations about and experiences with participating in an IME. • Participants questioned both the IME purpose and timing, but felt a moral obligation to participate. • Inadequate information provided by their general practitioner (GP) to the IME doctor was considered burdensome by several participants • Sick-listed workers appreciated the IME as a positive discussion, even if they did not feel it had any impact on their follow-up or return-to-work process.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 98%

Sick-listed workers’ expectations about and experiences with independent medical evaluation: a qualitative interview study from Norway

Aamland

Mæland

2018

Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care

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Procedural Justice and the Use of Independent Medical Evaluations in Workers’ Compensation

Kilgour

Kosny

Akkermans³

et al. 2015

Psychol. Inj. and Law

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MMPI-2 Validity Scores In Defense- Versus Plaintiff-Selected Examinations: A Repeated Measures Study of Examiner Effects

Greiffenstein¹,

Baker²,

Tsushima

et al. 2010

The Clinical Neuropsychologist

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The effects of forensic examiner role on validity scores have rarely been studied empirically. We used a repeated measures design to examine the association between examiner role (plaintiff- and defense-selected neuropsychologists) and scores on eight Minnesota Multiphasic Inventory-2 validity scores (MMPI-2-VRIN, -TRIN, -L, -K, -F, -Fb, -Fp, and -FBS) of the same 80 individuals. All 80 were involved in litigation following mostly minor neurological injuries. We found no significant within-group differences on any of the MMPI-2 validity scales. Concordance of pass/fail rates between examinations was above 80%, except for MMPI-2-Fb. For example, the Symptom Validity Scale (MMPI-2-FBS) showed equivalently high failure rates (70%) during both examinations. This study does not support the view that examiner role affects symptom validity scores in forensic settings.

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How independent are independent psychological examinations? A workers' compensation dilemma.

Cited by 4 publications

References 5 publications

Sick-listed workers’ expectations about and experiences with independent medical evaluation: a qualitative interview study from Norway

Sick-listed workers’ expectations about and experiences with independent medical evaluation: a qualitative interview study from Norway

Procedural Justice and the Use of Independent Medical Evaluations in Workers’ Compensation

MMPI-2 Validity Scores In Defense- Versus Plaintiff-Selected Examinations: A Repeated Measures Study of Examiner Effects

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