Author Archives: Tasworkdoc

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About Tasworkdoc

As an occupational physician in private medical practice in Hobart, Tasmania - the southernmost state of Australia, I see workers referred by their general practitioners with various types of work-related injuries and diseases. These are mostly musculoskeletal injuries, both of traumatic and gradual onset as well as various associated psychological disorders. With interaction with patients for treatment and providing advice about rehabilitation, I have the opportunity, first-hand, to observe interactions between individual patients and compensation systems. I also conduct independent medical assessments, including impairment assessments for musculoskeletal injuries and asbestos-related disease compensation. This provides another perspective of workers within compensation systems.

ISCRR Research Forum – Does Injury Compensation Cause Harm?

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Tasworkdoc

  The Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR) is conducting a forum in early December in Melbourne to discuss this important subject. See my earlier post on this subject – “Are Our Compensation Systems an Occupational Hazard” https://insultandinjury.org/2015/01/22/are-our-compensation-systems-an-occupational-hazard/ Here … Continue reading →

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The Myth of Workers Compensation Fraud

Posted on September 4, 2015 by Tasworkdoc

Alex Collie, CEO of the Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR) in Victoria recently flagged this article on Twitter as worthy of reading. Although the article refers to rates of fraud in the United States, where there the … Continue reading →

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Disputes on the rise and claimants walk away!

Posted on August 15, 2015 by Tasworkdoc

The 2013/14 annual report from the Tasmanian Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Tribunal provides data about the number of disputes and the percentage of claimants who do not contest what is known as a ‘reasonably arguable case’ finding. Link to article … Continue reading →

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Surveillance Again!

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Tasworkdoc

Personal Injury Lawyer, Brian Hilliard with Slater & Gordon in Hobart has raised issues about excessive use of surveillance for both workers compensation and motor accident claimants. The following article appears in today’s Hobart Mercury newspaper. http://m.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/spying-out-of-control/story-fnj4f7k1-1227359463049 I have previously … Continue reading →

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Update on “Tough Love”

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Tasworkdoc

I attended a meeting last night of medical practitioners with an interest in Workers Compensation. Some of them had read my blog article “Tough Love”. There was almost universal agreement that doctors do have a role in explaining to potential claimants … Continue reading →

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No coverage by ACC in New Zealand for ‘RSI’ type disorders!

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Tasworkdoc

 Dr John Quintner has asked that I post his article on this site. I welcome the opportunity to facilitate constructive discussion and debate on this issue! See also references to Dr Quintner’s work on  thetipssite Here is the article: FIBROMYALGIA … Continue reading →

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Ethics 101 for IME’s – You Cannot Treat Too!

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Tasworkdoc

I had a recent experience worth blogging about. A Human Resources adviser to an employer recommended that I undertake a  ‘Fitness for Work’ assessment as an independent medical examiner (IME). Apparently there were  concerns about the worker’s rehabilitation progress. The insurer … Continue reading →

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Degenerative Disease – too heavy a burden on our compensation systems?

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Tasworkdoc

I have been critical of arguments used in Independent Medical Examiner (IME) reports to justify opinions that a work injury (or an activity at work) is no longer the “cause” of an ongoing disabling condition.  My criticism is based on the … Continue reading →

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Occupational Medicine – “Why do I do it”

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Tasworkdoc

An unashamed promotion of the specialty of Occupational Medicine – based on my own experience and biased perspective of the specialty ! Anyone who has spent time in Hobart and watched TV will have heard the used car commercial that says “WHY … Continue reading →

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‘Tough Love’ – Do doctor’s have a role in keeping people out of the WC system?

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Tasworkdoc

The focus of my blog has been about changing the system to reduce the risks of a poor health outcome, but is there another facet to solving the problems I have highlighted? Should doctors make a conscious effort to keep people … Continue reading →

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