The second edition of the Guidelines for Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, known as the Queensland Guide, came into effect on July 1, 2016.
From this date onward, all assessments of permanent impairment for injuries sustained on or after October 15, 2013, must be conducted by assessors trained in the second edition of the Queensland Guide.
Workers' Compensation Regulatory Services oversees the training of medical practitioners in the Queensland Guide and maintains a list of trained assessors.
Medical specialists or audiologists interested in training should complete a training request form available through Workers' Compensation Regulatory Services.
Pre-requisite training is recommended before undertaking training in the Queensland Guide. The Queensland Guide is largely based on the American Medical Association's Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Fifth Edition (AMA5). Completing training in AMA5 prior to Queensland Guide training is advised.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available for assessors with prior training and accreditation in similar guidelines used in New South Wales (NSW) or South Australia (SA).
Completion of the compulsory introductory core module specific to the Queensland Guide and the workers' compensation scheme is necessary for registration as a trained assessor in Queensland.
Assessors are required to follow strict reporting requirements outlined in the legislation changes to the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003.
Reports of the evaluation of permanent impairment must be accurate, comprehensive, and fair, including details such as medical history, clinical evaluation, methodology used, conclusions, and any relevant issues.
Specialists completing assessments using the approved format may charge a higher rate under the medical table of costs.
A report template for permanent impairment assessments and a list of trained assessors are available for reference.
For further inquiries or to confirm assessors' training status, contact wcr.education@oir.qld.gov.au or phone (07) 3842 2737 to confirm if a doctor has undertaken training in the revised version of the Queensland Guide.