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When a patient is involved in an accident, their first point of medical care is usually the treating physician. Later, when a personal injury claim is filed, the same patient may be referred to see another physician, one who is responsible not for treatment but for detailed assessment of the injuries and a comprehensive medico-legal report that documents the medical history, the incident, the injuries sustained, and the correlation between them. In legal settings, these specialists are referred to as independent medical experts or IME doctors, since they conduct an Independent Medical Examination (IME).
Now, you might be wondering why a treating doctor can’t provide an IME report, too? Why do we need an IME doctor? What is the purpose of an IME report when you have medical notes from the treating physician? Anyone who isn’t directly involved in the legal or insurance process often finds it confusing, but understanding these distinctions is highly crucial for doctors, IME experts, attorneys, insurers, agencies and patients alike.
Understanding the Difference Between IME Doctor & Treating Physician
Both treating physicians and an IME doctor share several similarities, including that both are licensed medical professionals, both possess expertise in assessing clinical findings, and both have roles that involve relying on medical findings. Moreover, both are expected to adhere to ethical and regulatory guidelines. Yet, even with these overlapping responsibilities, their core roles remain distinctly different.
Let’s go into the details of the differences between the role of an IME and a treating doctor, and the nature of their job.
1. Purpose
IME Doctors
The role of independent medical experts is strictly evaluative and limited to providing an opinion on ongoing treatment, present condition and disabilities. Their IME report and statement have strong legal standing and serve as medical evidence used in litigation.
Treating Physician
On the other hand, the treating physician conducts an examination for diagnosis and treatment. In short, they help patients heal and support their journey, without any legal involvement.
2. Doctor-Patient Relation
IME Doctors
An expert is selected with prudent consideration not to have any relation with the patient, so they can stay objective in their assessment and opinion. An independent medical expert provides a third-party perspective on the case. They are typically engaged by agencies, insurers, or attorneys, rather than by the claimants themselves, and, apart from conducting the examination, they maintain no direct communication with the individual being assessed.
Treating Physician
Whereas the treating physicians often have a very close relationship with the patient, considering their ongoing link from diagnosis to follow-ups. However, due to their continuous interaction, they often develop a connection with the patient, which can hinder their judgment; this is why a treating doctor is not summoned to provide an IME report.
3. Primary Responsibility
IME Doctors
The responsibility of an independent medical expert is limited to providing an unbiased view on the condition, causation and disability in relation to a reported accident. Once they submit an IME report, they are not responsible for any follow-up or making adjustments in ongoing treatment.
Treating Physicians
A treating doctor often has several follow-up appointments with the patient to assess pain levels, check the effectiveness of the current treatment, and make necessary adjustments. In short, unlike IME doctor, their role does not end with a single assessment; it continues as an ongoing process with multiple periodic evaluations.
4. Limitations
IME Doctors
The role of the independent medical expert is limited to providing a fair evaluation and cannot interfere with prescribed treatment. Secondly, their opinions are heavily reliant on their own perception and the medical records provided to them.
Treating Physician
A treating physician can be far more aware of the patient’s condition. Still, due to the risk of potential bias towards their patient, their report might unintentionally advocate for the claimant. Therefore, their role doesn’t involve medico-legal reporting for their own patients. In conclusion, any qualified physician or specialist can become an independent medical examiner; however, the only constraint is that a treating doctor cannot serve as an IME for their patients, as this would compromise the level of accuracy, objectivity, and impartiality required in legal matters. Are you an independent medical expert or medico-legal agency struggling with broken communications, inefficient workflows and scattered paperwork? Medqon has an AI-powered solution for you!
A treating physician can be far more aware of the patient’s condition. Still, due to the risk of potential bias towards their patient, their report might unintentionally advocate for the claimant. Therefore, their role doesn’t involve medico-legal reporting for their own patients. In conclusion, any qualified physician or specialist can become an independent medical examiner; however, the only constraint is that a treating doctor cannot serve as an IME for their patients, as this would compromise the level of accuracy, objectivity, and impartiality required in legal matters. Are you an independent medical expert or medico-legal agency struggling with broken communications, inefficient workflows and scattered paperwork? Medqon has an AI-powered solution for you!
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