Opinions:
MEWA’s format
Any relevant medical history
h/o psychiatric disorder and history of physical illness that has, in the past, been complicated by psychiatric symptoms or might be so complicated in future
h/o psych disorder- present at time, would have occurred, predisposition or vulnerability to psychiatric disorder
- ICD-10 diagnosis and full description (content of jar not just label)
- Existence of diagnosis, its attributions and its consequences
- Justify diagnosis with signs and symptoms
- Indicate to what extent evidence from medical records support diagnosis
- Indicate to what extent evidence there is other corroborative evidence
- Make clear if diagnosis is based entirely on self-report
- Range of reasonable opinions- indicate why ur diagnosis is preferred
Treatment received
- Both on records and based on claimants report
- Meds- sufficient/insufficient
- Psychology
- Treatment that ought to have been given but not given
- If claimant not complied with treatment- explain why, extent, DNA, repeat Px
- Uncooperative vs understandable
Present condition
- (severity of injury in terms of degree of suffering and impairment of functioning or functional deficit)
JSB Guide-
- Ability to cope with life and particularly work
- Effect on relationships with family etc.
- Extent to which treatment would be successful
- Future vulnerability
- Prognosis
- The extent and / or nature of any associated physical injuries
- Whether medical help has been sought.
- Effect of claimant condition on their capacity to Work
- GAFscale
- Disability under Equality Act
Treatment Recommended
Outstanding requirement as to treatment- set out, with sufficient detail
Prognosis:
- Course and outcome of claimant condition
- What might happen in future
- Risk of deterioration
- Whether claimant rendered more vulnerable to psychiatric disorder in future