Edition DescriptionNew Edition
SynopsisWidely accepted as the most reliable medical reference on impairment evaluation since its inception in 1971, the Guides is highly valued by physicians who use its authoritative chapters to determine how to assess for impairment. The new edition of the Guides continues to build from this legacy by focusing on physician interrater reliability through an updated consensus approach that considers the latest evidence and patient function. The result is a new standard that seeks to evaluate impairment using a series of uniform grids for each chapter. Covering every body system, Guides Sixth Edition provides a standardized approach to determine impairment assessment using patient history, physical examination and clinical tests. Uniformity and ease of use is stressed to provide a consistent rating for conditions in each of the body systems using evidence based methodologies and, when lacking, a consensus approach. The Guides was developed with open deliberations from participating national medical specialty societies and state medical associations. An oversight advisory panel was established to broaden fuller participation of stakeholders. An Editorial Panel was created to review past editions and make recommendations and oversee the development of the Sixth Edition. An expansive stakeholder review was implemented to ensure consensus based content and expert medical review., Considers the evidence and patient function to achieve physician interrater reliability through a consensus approach. This book includes a series of uniform grids in each chapter providing a standard for impairment evaluation. It offers a standardized approach to determine impairment using patient history, physical examination and clinical tests., Please note: Annual updates to AMA Guides Sixth are published to AMA Guides Digital (amaguidesdigital.com) and are not available in print. The AMA Guides 6th book was last reprinted in March 2021 to incorporate the Clarifications and Corrections document in its entirety, but does not include the 2021 version that is most current as of July 1, 2021. The AMA Guides(R) emphasizes the fundamental skills physicians need to evaluate and communicate patient impairments. Standardized methodology is applied to each chapter to enhance the relevancy of impairment ratings, improve internal consistency and promote ease of application to the rating process. This ordered method enables busy physicians to become proficient with the ratings for multiple organ systems and anticipate how each chapter is organized and assimilates information. The Guides Sixth applies both terminology from, and an analytical framework based on, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), to generate five impairment classes which calculates a patient impairment rating from no impairment to most severe. Functionally based histories, physical findings and broadly accepted objective clinical tests results are integrated where applicable to help physicians determine the grade within the impairment class. The result is a decision that is both transparent and reproducible. Using the latest evidence in diagnosis and clinical tests, the Guides Sixth offers the following key features: The latest scientific research and evolving medical opinion provided by nationally and internationally-recognized experts. Standardized approach across organ systems and chapters. Expanded use of diagnostic approach to help physicians consider relevant clinical tests and outcomes in performing the rating. Required clinical information needed to rate a given condition. Clear step-by-step grading instructions in each chapter to promote consistent scoring of impairment ratings and to improve physician consistency. Simplified methodology presented between chapters. Contemporary, evidence-based concepts and terminology of disablement from the ICF. More comprehensive and expanded diagnostic approach. Transparent process to allow the evaluator to document functional assessment, clinical tests and physician findings. Uniform grids to help physicians calculate impairment ratings., Widely accepted as the most reliable medical reference on impairment evaluation since its inception in 1971, the new sixth edition of the ""Guides"" considers the latest evidence and patient function to achieve physician interrater reliability through an updated consensus approach.A series of uniform grids in each chapter provides a new standard for impairment evaluation. It provides a standardized approach to determine impairment using patient history, physical examination and clinical tests and employs an evidence-based methodologies and/or a consensus approach that serves to provide a consistent rating for conditions in each of the organ systems. Consideration of patient function and activities of daily living further ensure a consistent evaluation.