You may be aware that I work with MAG as a Specialist Occupational Physician.
I also advise Boards and senior leaders within various corporate environments – insurance, legal, aviation, banking and professional services and mining industries to name a few – on a wide range of work-related topics.
The impact that COVID-19 is having on general workflow is unprecedented – including in the IME space in which we all currently operate – whereby the assessment methods have, until now, traditionally required face to face contact.
It’s important to MAG (and to all of us, really) that our business as usual is able to continue whilst there are wider discussions being held – and instructions starting to be given – around social distancing or isolation.
Having consulted with various MAG colleagues within a number of the specialties, we have quickly realised that MAG already has established methodology for the IME assessments to continue without the physical attendance of our claimants.
This methodology and the MAG solutions available not only appeases any concern we might have had about our own workflow; but will ably assist the referring clients in ensuring this important IME step within the claims process continues in a timely and seamless fashion.
The range of MAG solutions include video- and tele-conferencing capability which, with appropriate referral paperwork, is often is enough on its own.
Where there is an actual requirement for specific physical examination – or if this is something that is your personal or clinical requirement – then a modified functional capacity examination (FCE) can be completed by an attending physiotherapist or similar treating party.
This can be undertaken before the assessment with the FCE result then forming part of the LOI / attached referral paperwork. Alternatively, this can be undertaken at the time of the assessment with a present treating practitioner who will follow your instruction.
For me, it’s exciting to think that MAG has already considered these kinds of technological and process solutions which will allow us to keep working efficiently during these unusual times!
We’ll continue to keep you abreast of this developing scenario as more information comes to hand.