Comprehensive reports - the what and the why

Tribunals form medical opinions by reading the available material, verifying the information provided through interview and examination of the worker and applying their combined knowledge and experience.

Tribunal appointments take 45 mins to an hour on average. Obtaining a complete history from a worker with a physical injury could take all of the allotted time. For a worker with a psychiatric injury this could take between two to three hours. Tribunals do not investigate claims from scratch—it would make it logistically impossible to process approximately 2800 referrals to the medical assessment tribunals each year.

The tribunal environment is also not considered ideal for obtaining complete histories as many workers can feel intimidated by having to appear before a panel of doctors. One on one consultations are far less daunting and generally produce better outcomes for the worker and the doctor.

Tribunal members advise that a comprehensive report would include:

• medical summary of the case – time sequences are very important
• detailed medical history – including previous similar or related injuries
• clinical findings
• diagnosis
• results of investigations – x-rays, CT Scans, pathology
• prognosis
• details of treatment – including worker’s attitude to treatment and compliance
• opinion of capacity for work – either original job or alternative work
• future management of the case.

Other important points:

• Reports should be up-to-date—they should be obtained at appropriate stages of injury management.
• Specialist reports are required for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment options.
• All medical reports are required by the tribunal—it is the appropriate body to determine relevance of reports.
• Comprehensive reports from the treating practitioner are important for details of treatment provided—this ensures the information is accurate and reliable.
• Telephone contacts, case conferences, completed forms, phone fax reports and progress reports are useful to the tribunal but are additional information and are not a substitute for comprehensive reports.

For more information call us on 1300 738 197.