2011 Fall Issue
A Catastrophic Upheaval
By The Health ProfessionalFall 2011 Issue - Following the decision in Kusnierz v. Economical Mutual Insurance Co., 2010 ONSC 5749 (S.C.J.), the rules for calculating whole person impairment (WPI) ratings in accordance with the definition of “catastrophic impairment” in the Ontario Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule (SABS) are now up in the air.
An MD Seeks Alternatives - A Global Quest
By The Health ProfessionalFall 2011 Issue - Travel has always been a great source of insight and an impetus for progress. More important than the places we see, the people we meet and the experiences we have, the true value of travel is the way all these things help change the way we see ourselves and our home. As an emergency physician who has worked in many settings in our multicultural society, my approach to clinical care was shaped by a life of travel. Among other things, it helped me to really listen to my patients and connect with them in a way that transcends culture and background. Perhaps the most important milestone in my career was a two-year break from medicine that I spent learning about traditional healing while backpacking around the world.
Arbitrary Insurer Denials Having Serious Consequences
By The Health ProfessionalFall 2011 issue - Since the new MVA laws took effect in September of 2010, patients are routinely and systematically being denied psychological services by insurers, even when clinical intervention is warranted. Many clients who report suffering from emotional distress and clinical symptoms as a direct result of their accidents are being refused psychological intervention they are entitled to receive under the law. Not only is this a grave injustice, but it is also unethical as it is motivated by insurers who exploit the injured based on economic self-interest. What is truly egregious about this practice is that it denies patients the appropriate health care they have a right to for legitimate, substantiated reasons..
Electronic Pain Diaries
By The Health ProfessionalFall 2011 Issue - Measurement of emotional and physical functioning among individuals experiencing chronic pain falls within two broad categories: retrospective and momentary. Retrospective measurement uses well-constructed, detailed and sometimes lengthy self-report questionnaires to capture a global assessment of physical and emotional functioning.
From Toe Pain to No Pain
By The Health ProfessionalFall 2011 - One of the most uncomfortable and painful conditions is arthritic joint pain. Gout is a specific arthritic disease with a predictable outcome. Because modern medicine has been active on the battlefield against this age-old condition, the disease is now understood better than ever and can be effectively treated. Though the basic elements of exercise and a healthy diet remain an invaluable tool to control gout flare-ups, the use of medication to control uric acid production offers the best current treatment.
Getting Serious about Auto Insurance Fraud
By The Health ProfessionalFall 2011 Issue - Ontario is cracking down on auto insurance fraud – which will benefit drivers, insurers, health care providers and all other professionals who are affected by the province’s auto insurance system
Insurance Bureau Tracking MIG Practices
By The Health ProfessionalFall 2011 Issue - When the minor injury guideline (MIG) came into effect in September 2010, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) began research – in the form of a survey – to monitor how the guideline was being used.
Kinesiology on the Move
By The Health ProfessionalFall 2011 Issue - Kinesiology is a multidisciplinary science encompassing anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, psychomotor behaviour, and social and cultural factors. This multidisciplinary approach to movement and human performance leads to the many benefits of kinesiology and makes it an important contributor to health and wellness.
Mastering Social Media - A Marketing Primer
By The Health ProfessionalFall 2011 Issue - Are you too busy working with your patients to take care of marketing your business? Many professional people have this problem. But how can you deal with it? By learning to leverage a small amount of time to get a significant marketing result.
Mount Sinai's Tai Chi Story
By The Health ProfessionalFall 2011 Issue - The Wasser Pain Management Centre (WPMC), one of the leading interdisciplinary pain clinics in North America, is collaborating with the Rehab and Wellbeing Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital to offer medical Tai Chi classes for individuals with chronic pain.
