Medical-Legal (QME) Report Writing

Qualified Medical Evaluators (QMEs) are challenged to understand the complex set of data that comprises a thorough QME. This Disability Report Writing Course will teach evaluators to understand the issues of Apportionment, Causation, the rating of Disability, using the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment-5th Edition and the necessary content for a good QME report. Writing a ratable report that integrates the data is key, and an imperative part of the process.

Dr. Julie Armstrong has worked in Workers’ Compensation as a QME since 2003. A Licensed Psychologist and Clinical Nurse Specialist, she holds regular Case Consultation seminars to instruct QME doctors how to understand the issues raised in any given QME. She is an invited speaker on issues related to Psyche injuries to audiences that include Attorneys, Judges, Claims Evaluators and Doctors.

This course will teach the new QME to properly evaluate an Injured Worker and write an evidence based Medical-Legal (QME) report, and meets the LC §139.2 requirement that, “…a physician seeking an appointment as a QME after January 1, 2001 shall also complete, prior to appointment a 12-hour Disability Report Writing course approved by the DWC.”

Topics Covered in This Course:

  • QME Role in the Disability Evaluation Process

  • Required Elements of the Medical-Legal Report

  • Mechanics of Report Writing

  • DWC’s Disability Evaluation Protocols

  • The Third-Party Perspective – Who is your audience?

  • The Language of the Reports—Using the Correct Legal Terminology

  • How to determine Causation, Disability and Apportionment

  • Common Errors in the QME Report

New QMEs will be required to write and submit a Medical-Legal report to Dr. Armstrong that meets the established criteria (80%).

The course is approved by the Administrative Director of the California Division of Workers’ Compensation for Qualified Medical Evaluator continuing professional education and meets the criteria in the Labor Code, Chapter 115, for the Disability Evaluation Report Writing course necessary prior to appointment as a QME. At the completion of this course 12 QME credits will be awarded to participants already certified as QME physicians.

The DWC-approved Report Writing Seminar will be offered once per year. Please contact us for information on upcoming seminars.

Disability Report Writing Course

PsyDocs is the approved provider for this class, DWC Report Writing Provider #17.

NOTE: Current QMEs can earn 12 QME credits for attending this class!

All specialties are welcome, as this will address the writing of the report and QME requirements, not the medical content. Attendees taking the class for the report writing requirement will be required to write and submit a Medical-Legal report that meets the established criteria (80%) within 45 days of course completion.