Author: mpew

"Call the doctor and let them know if we are going to authorize the surgery," said a Claims Supervisor to an examiner on the job four-days (who had only one physiology semester in high school). "I have never made a medical decision in my entire career," said a California WCAB Presiding Judge who had ordered the approval of the fourth back surgery when the consulting physician said the surgery was "inappropriate." I have seen…

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In the world of workers' compensation, there is always so much to learn about injury and treatment. Many claims examiners may assume they understand medicine, but it took me four decades within the system before I learned about Kinesiophobia. Once introduced to this concept, I was amazed at how well it explained some of the barriers that injured workers face during their journey to recovery from work-related injuries. It also…

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Once upon a time in the realm of medical care, a curious phenomenon emerged – the emergence of "Doctor Google" and his faithful sidekick, "Doctor Confirmation Bias." Many treating physicians found themselves confronted by patients who had already consulted the omniscient Doctor Google and received a diagnosis confirmed by the ever-loyal Doctor Confirmation Bias. The trouble with Doctor Google? He had a penchant for offering a menu of diagnoses, leaving…

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In the realm of business, navigating the complexities of customer interactions often involves confronting the challenge of managing 'unreasonable demands.' These demands can manifest in various forms, ranging from unrealistic timelines and requests that fall outside contractual agreements to actions that pose ethical or legal dilemmas. Today, service companies often possess greater knowledge than their customers regarding operational, legal, and ethical considerations within their industry. How service companies respond to…

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