But in this instance, it is not the primary care physician who assumes the decision-making role but an administrator. The administrator may be an insurance agent, an administrative law judge or a member of a workers' compensation board. In this process, physicians contribute to decision-making only insofar as they provide data to the administrators. Thus, the physician functions in the same role as the radiologist, pathologist, subspecialist, social worker, nurse or other medical provider who usually gives information to the primary care physician so that recommendations can be made to the patient. In disability cases, physicians must understand that they are in a position of providing information to a nameless person within a bureaucracy.
Physicians have no other role or responsibility in the matter.
Therefore, they should complete the forms honestly and assume no other role. When physicians understand that they are no longer at the top making final decisions, they should feel much more comfortable with their role in this process. Unfortunately, there is little that they can do, because their role is merely one of providing information. Once the forms are filled out appropriately and honestly, it is up to the plaintiff, defense attorneys or patient-industry advocates to challenge the results within the system. This step should be avoided at all costs.