Training > Online Training: AMA Guides 6th Edition

Sixth Edition of the AMA Guides: Learning the New Standard
– Six Sessions – Gain access today!

Online training is the convenient, efficient, and effective way to learn the new Sixth Edition of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment – the most current guidelines for assessing impairment. This highly acclaimed webinar series was recorded from January through March; therefore you are able to view these when you want to. The total length of the program is approximately ten hours; far more training than a one day seminar. This exceptional resource can either be your primary learning resource or used to supplement a traditional seminar. Individuals report it is very difficult to learn the Sixth Edition simply by reading the book - it is far better to have an experienced mentor who clearly explains and illustrates the process with case exercises.

You will learn from Christopher R. Brigham, MD, the Senior Contributing Editor, who was also a primary contributor for the musculoskeletal chapters, as well as Editor of the Guides Casebook and Guides Newsletter. The program is designed for a multi-disciplinary audience – physicians, attorneys, claims professionals, fact-finders (judges, hearing officers), and others involved in workers’ compensation, personal injury, and motor vehicle casualty cases.

• As a participant you are able to view (and review) the content throughout 2008. With live programs you are exposed to the content once; however with the Sixth Edition it is best to review content based on specific issues (and cases) you will encounter.

• You gain access to recordings of the actual live programs for the duration of 2008 and also separate recorded presentations in Flash format (permitting instant access to specific sessions through May 2008).

• You have access to inventory and recording forms - facilitating the use of the Sixth Edition.

• You will also receive weekly case exercises for ten weeks followed by an online self-assessment - further enhancing your learning.

• You save costs of travel and being away from your office (costs that may exceed by several times the cost of a traditional seminar).

Compare online training at impairment.com to "traditional" seminars:

There is no question that online training is the best approach for you.

Learn the fundamental differences, including: 

• How the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is used as a framework to generate five impairment classes;

• Diagnosis-based grids and adjustment grids are used to define a specific impairment;

• Standardized methodology is applied to each chapter to enhance the relevancy of impairment ratings, improve internal consistency and promote ease of application to the rating process;

• Functionally based histories, physical findings and broadly accepted objective clinical test results are integrated where applicable to help physicians determine the grade within the impairment class.

The online training features:

• Approaches which are exemplified by case exercises, contrasting ratings from the Sixth Edition with those from earlier editions;

• Musculoskeletal impairment assessment (chapters which Dr. Brigham authored);

• Visual graphics that illustrate the step-by-step process.

Impairment assessment has evolved with the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment and this has resulted in both challenges and opportunities for the evaluator and those relying on impairment ratings. If you are involved in performing, reviewing or managing impairment ratings you need to have access to these unique online learning resources.

• Each session averages 1½ to 2 hours in length;

• Questions and answers session;

• Web-based recording of each session for viewing (and reviewing) at your convenience.

Learning Objectives

As a result of this learning opportunity, you will be able to: 

• Discuss the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and its role in impairment evaluation.

• Explain the reasons for revision of our prior approaches to impairment assessment.

• Describe how to determine Diagnosis-Based Impairments, and make adjustments on the basis of the results of Functional History, Physical Examination, and Clinical Studies.

• Demonstrate the ability to score Functional Inventories (including the QuickDASH, Lower Limb Outcome Scale, and Pain Disability Questionnaire).

• Explain why methods used in previous editions (such as spinal range of motion assessment and strength determination) are no longer determinates.

• Demonstrate the ability to rate most commonly rated disorders, including spinal pain, upper limb disorders (hand, wrist, elbow, shoulders and entrapments), lower limb disorders (foot / ankle, knee and foot), nervous system disorders, and pain. 

CME Credit

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the Joint Sponsorship of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and Brigham & Associates, Inc.  The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 7.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Seminar Director

Christopher R. Brigham, MD is the Founder and President of Brigham and Associates, Inc. (www.impairment.com).  He is the Senior Contributing Editor for the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Sixth Edition, serves on the Advisory Committee, and was a contributor / author for several chapters, including Upper Extremities, Lower Extremities and Spine. With the Fifth Edition he served on the Advisory Committee and as a contributor. Dr. Brigham is Board-Certified in Occupational Medicine (ABPM), Founding Director of the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners (ABIME), a Certified Independent Medical Examiner (CIME), a Certified Impairment Rater (CIR), a Fellow of the American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians (FAADEP) with Certification in Evaluation of Disability and Impairment Rating (CEDIR), and a Fellow of the American College of Occupational Environmental Medicine (FACOEM), and a graduate of the Washington University School of Medicine – St. Louis. 

Dr. Brigham is also the Editor of the AMA publications Guides Newsletter and the Guides Casebook. He is co-author of the text Understanding the AMA Guides in Workers Compensation, has written over one hundred published articles on impairment and disability evaluation and other texts, chaired the Medical Advisory Board for the Medical Disability Advisor, Fourth Edition, is featured in several video, audio and web-based productions in the medicolegal field, and has trained thousands of physicians, attorneys, claims professionals and fact-finders, throughout the US, Canada and internationally. He is an experienced professional speaker. As a clinician with over twenty five years experience, he has performed several thousand independent medical and impairment evaluations, providing him with excellent insight to the complexities of human potential, impairment and disability. As a result of this experience he has consulted for numerous organizations (including governmental jurisdictions). His curriculum vitae is available at http://www.impairment.com/PDFFiles/BrighamC_CV.pdf  

Registration

Enrollment is limited. The registration fee is $495 and includes two months free access to www.guidesiq.com.  Register today and be assured of having a seat.

Client Appreciation Discount: If you have referred a case to us in the 30 days prior to your purchase of the series, you can receive a $100 discount off the price of the series. Click here to send us an email, reference our file number and we will respond with a discount code for use upon check out in our shopping cart.

For further information contact Mindy Brigham at
mbrigham@brighamassociates.com or Call 888.262.1202.