Permanent impairment and independent medical examinations
Featuring a panel of experts, this session will cover the development of the new Permanent Impairment Guidelines in South Australia. Discussion will also cover common issues and challenges when undertaking an Independent Medical Examination from a medical and legal perspective.
Dr Peter Jezukaitis
Occupational & Environmental Medicine Physician
Co-design and updating of Impairment Assessment Guidelines for the RTWSA scheme
Workers compensation is a social and legal construction, where benefits are described by a legislative framework. As part of legislative changes, the Impairment Assessment Guidelines were updated with a stakeholder engaged, transparent and interactive process. An occupational medicine personal view from a participant.
Learning Objectives:
By participating in this session, delegates can expect to:
- Understand the process involved in developing and updating impairment assessment guidelines within a legislative and worker' compensation framework.
- Appreciate the importance of meaningful stakeholder engagement and collaboration in developing guidelines that are transparent, practical and fit for purpose.
- Recognise effective communication strategies for engaging with stakeholder throughout complex policy and guideline development processes.
Guy Biddle
Partner, Lawyer, Employment and Workplace Safety
Being the Independent Examiner - The obligations and challenges - a legal perspective
This presentation is a lawyers perspective on the role of the independent examiner
as a provider of expert evidence and as a witness in proceedings.
Learning Objectives:
By participating in this session, delegates can expect to:
- Understand the key stages of the litigation process.
- Understand the role of medical practitioners within this framework.
- Apply practical strategies to improve report writing and effectively communicate clinical opinions when giving evidence.
Assoc Prof Christopher Cunneen
Occupational & Environmental Medicine Physician
Common challenges, professional obligations and emerging considerations for medical assessors
This presentation explores common challenges faced by IME assessors, including referral documentation, informed consent, managing complex
assessments, medical record keeping and preparation of clear, defensible
reports. It will discuss AHPRA professional obligations, practical
considerations for medical practices, staff training and risk management
strategies. The session will also provide an overview of emerging issues
surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) scribes, consent requirements, and the
evolving medico-legal considerations of AI-assisted clinical documentation and
reporting.
Learning Objectives:
By participating in this session, delegates can expect to:
- Identify common challenges encountered during Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs)
- Understand professional obligations under AHPRA requirements and Codes of Conduct
- Apply best practice principles regarding consent, documentation and report preparation
- Recognise practice management considerations for IME services
- Understand emerging issues relating to AI scribes and AI-assisted documentation
