Patient requests a doctors note for work...

[Druggernaut]

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quoting myself to again ask: are people actually doing workers comp forms? I obviously see a few people sort of saying they don't but I'm hoping for more than 3/4 answers total in the thread on that specific element.

Generally no, with the excuse that they usually require workup that's not emergently indicated and that I don't think the ED collection practices would meet the requirements for worker"s comp such as observed specimen collection and chain of custody.

If it's just writing a line or two about my workup and findings, I'll probably sign off on that.

Work notes are pretty much whatever the patient wants, as long as it's not totally absurd.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

quoting myself to again ask: are people actually doing workers comp forms? I obviously see a few people sort of saying they don't but I'm hoping for more than 3/4 answers total in the thread on that specific element.

No and the nurses have usually told the patient already. Work notes, temporary work restrictions, yes. Actual work comp forms, no and wouldn't know where to start.

 

[BoardingDoc]

quoting myself to again ask: are people actually doing workers comp forms? I obviously see a few people sort of saying they don't but I'm hoping for more than 3/4 answers total in the thread on that specific element.

I have never done a workers comp form in the ER and likely never will. Occ health referral and a 3 day work note.

 

[DocEspana]

This all makes me feel much better because I basically twisted my directors arm to stop having us do them (and again, he also felt we shouldn't do them, he was just really passive about it for years apparently). The Florida one is not the worst but it's pretty damn annoying and has so many fields about percent of function loss, extremely specific activities that need amount of weight that can be associated with them, and it's just a full on pain. But our registration people just look at us like sad puppies whenever we decline to do them.

 

[BoardingDoc]

This all makes me feel much better because I basically twisted my directors arm to stop having us do them (and again, he also felt we shouldn't do them, he was just really passive about it for years apparently). The Florida one is not the worst but it's pretty damn annoying and has so many fields about percent of function loss, extremely specific activities that need amount of weight that can be associated with them, and it's just a full on pain. But our registration people just look at us like sad puppies whenever we decline to do them.

If you are being asked questions like percent of function loss, that's frequently disability, not workers comp. That's an even harder no. Even as a pain fellow now I don't do that.

I explain that I will help with paperwork after they have had a functional capacity evaluation which specifically answers those questions. They get to pay for one on their own dime as insurance frequently doesn't cover it. Spoiler alert, no one takes me up on this.

 

[DocEspana]

If you are being asked questions like percent of function loss, that's frequently disability, not workers comp. That's an even harder no. Even as a pain fellow now I don't do that.

I explain that I will help with paperwork after they have had a functional capacity evaluation which specifically answers those questions. They get to pay for one on their own dime as insurance frequently doesn't cover it. Spoiler alert, no one takes me up on this.

Yeah the Florida workers comp form has a whole disability % thing for every little motion and activity and it drives me nuts. Asks you when you expect them to regain function and of tjer will be any permanent disability and who they need to follow up with and..... It's a. Nightmare

 

[thegenius]

surprised by many of these responses. I give very little time off work and it's gotta be for a legit reason. can't stand lazy people. **** everyone who tries to scam the system, and your MD credentials, to swindle time off work.

 

[cyanide12345678]

quoting myself to again ask: are people actually doing workers comp forms? I obviously see a few people sort of saying they don't but I'm hoping for more than 3/4 answers total in the thread on that specific element.

At my old job i did fill out one form that was workmans comp related. Mostly i recommended everyone follow up with occupational health on an outpatient basis.

 

[BoardingDoc]

Yeah the Florida workers comp form has a whole disability % thing for every little motion and activity and it drives me nuts. Asks you when you expect them to regain function and of tjer will be any permanent disability and who they need to follow up with and..... It's a. Nightmare

Yeah man. Sounds like you did the right thing. Refer to occ health for a FCE. Job done.

 

[hoot504]

I think I speak for my whole group when I say hell no to the workers comp form. That’s about as primary care as you get, thus I’m not doing it. Go to your occ health or pcp.