Our role:
Our nurses attend independent medical exams (IME). Most states allow the claimant to have a person accompany them to the exam. We function as a patient advocate, an an observer, and if needed as a fact witness.
IME prep:
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We review the medical records.
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We call the claimant prior to the exam.
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We educate them about the IME process and our role in that process.
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We role play with the claimant. We ask questions that will be asked during their exam. We ask more detailed, pointed questions to help draw out descriptive information that will be helpful to their physician. This process enables them to re-familiarize themselves with pertinent dates, the time-line of their symptoms, and their treatment history.
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We instruct the client to be truthful, concise, and descriptive. We do not coach them or tell them what to say.
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We tell the claimant that we will be silent during the exam and that they need to tell the physician all the information that they told us.
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We tell the client to attempt the physical tests the best they can without injuring themselves and to describe verbally (without exaggeration) any pain, tenderness, or aggravation that the exam causes.
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We remind them to bring a copy of their films. We stress how important it is that the physician is able to see the actual films.
Documentation:
We construct a factual written summary from the time we enter the waiting room until we leave the office. We document all conversations, tests, questions, answers and actions. We watch the physical exam to assess whether the doctor conducts the right tests and performs them correctly. We record the examination and the claimant's response. We also note the timing of events. We do not record the exam unless requested and set-up by the attorney in advance. Within a 24-48 hours of the visit, a typed summary report is sent to the attorney. This report can be used refute any inconsistencies in the IME physician’s report and help the attorney decide future strategies.
Other services:
We also attend treating physician exams, second opinion exams, physician meetings, deposition preparation meetings, depositions, mediations, and trials.
