Whiplash Guidelines Well Received by Members
Dr. Brian Arthur, ICBC Liaison Committee Chair
We have received positive feedback to date from members regarding the Whiplash Guidelines documentation. Doctors have begun using the outcome instruments, as well as the First Report and Progress Reports, which can be found at the end of the Whiplash Guidelines document. For now, we ask that your office photocopy these report forms as patient needs require.
Throughout the year, we encourage feedback from chiropractors, lawyers, and ICBC on the use of this information. Once input has been reviewed and revisions incorporated, updated First Report and Progress Report forms will be mailed to all members in January 2002.
In order to successfully implement the use of Whiplash Guidelines outcome questionnaires in your office, staff must understand the positive impact the routine will have on your practice. It is important that you explain the goals and purpose for using the outcome questionnaires. In doing so, the importance of having patients complete the questionnaires will be more evident. Practitioners might also develop a dialogue script that helps staff address patient adversity to filling out the forms. With or without your guidance, it is imperative that staff members execute this procedure as part of their daily routine.
It is essential that D.C.s remain focused on completing First Reports and Progress Reports and mailing them within the first five working days of the patient's office visit. This is a very important time in our recent history. We are attempting to fundamentally change the systemic bias exhibited against chiropractors by a Crown Corporation, by documenting our expertise via the courts and mediation processes. The uncertain outcome of the BC election makes this issue even more urgent.
We encourage you to send copies of the First Report and Progress Reports to ICBC and your patient's lawyer. However, be sure to advise your patient in advance that they are responsible for any report fee you decide to charge in the event that ICBC chooses not to pay for the report. The Association's recommended fee for the First Report is $71.00 and $46.00 for the Progress Reports. One report per patient for a year will result in over seven thousand reports. We can and shall succeed. Let our profession set the standards that others will follow.
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