Workers’ Compensation Psychological Testing
By: Steven Babitsky, Esq.
All psychological tests used to evaluate workers’ compensation claimants are not of equal value. The objective psychological tests should be afforded more weight by judges and workers’ compensation professionals. Some common psychological tests that are subjective include:
BDI-II
BSI 18
CES-D
Oswestry
Non-standardized measures. Do not comply with APA testing standards.
On the other hand, objective psychological tests used in workers’ compensation cases include:
MCMI III
MMPI-2
BHI 2
MBMD
Standardized measures that comply with APA testing standards. Meet validity and reliability standards.
Dr. Robert J. Barth will be presenting Psychological Testing: Objective Analysis of Subjective Claims of Pain, Brain Injury, or Mental Illness at the SEAK 33rd Annual National Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Medicine Conference to be held on July16-18, 2013 on Cape Cod, MA.
Dr. Barth will explain how psychological testing provides a mechanism for objectively evaluating claims that are otherwise completely subjective (e.g. pain claims, claims of brain injury, and claims of mental illness). He will discuss the use of testing to: enhance diagnostic accuracy, objectively address whether a case is consistent with a legitimate presentation, and contribute objectivity to determinations of work-relatedness. Dr. Barth will explain how psychological testing can help prevent harmful prescription of narcotic medications, harmful surgeries, harmful spinal cord stimulators, and other harmful treatments such as pain pumps. Dr. Barth will also offer practical suggestions for recognizing and effectively dealing with the misuse of psychological testing.
Robert Barth Ph.D. is a clinical neuropsychologist in private practice in Chattanooga, TN. Dr. Barth has been named a Fellow of the National Academy of Neuropsychology. Dr. Barth practices, writes, and teaches in the following areas: chronic pain, brain injury/impairment, and mental illness. Dr. Barth has been asked to provide faculty, writing, editorial review, and program development duties for many healthcare academies, governmental agencies, and healthcare publishers. The American Medical Association has repeatedly listed Dr. Barth among their “internationally recognized expert authors”, and has asked him to contribute to their programming for chronic pain, brain injury, and mental illness. His work for the AMA has included contributing to the Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment and the Guides to the Evaluation of Disease and Injury Causation.
For additional information about the SEAK National Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Medicine Conference click here.
Steven Babitsky is the conference leader.