Dr. Sarah Johnson, a COEH Alum, partnered with the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC), to update the online course, Evaluating California’s Injured Workers: Qualified Medical Evaluators, launched on October 11, 2021.
Dr. Sarah Johnson obtained her undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University and attended medical school at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is also a proud alum of Teach for America. Prior to moving to San Francisco, she completed two years of general surgery in Chicago. Her interests and abilities, particularly in population-based approaches and prevention, drew her to Occupational Medicine and the OEM program at UCSF, where she completed her OEM Residency in 2020. Dr. Johnson currently serves as an Associate Medical Director at WorkCare and specializes in Medical Review and COVID-19 case classification.
About the Course:
Course Learning Outcomes:
At the completion of this activity, the learner will be able to:
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Describe how to prepare for a QME evaluation
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Identify the components of a complete report and potential pitfalls
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Identify and understand the concept of apportionment, and how it applies in the California workers’ compensation system
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Differentiate between causation of permanent disability and causation of injury, and describe the types of allowable factors in determining causation of permanent disability
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Describe the legal requirements for substantial medical evidence, and apply these standards to a medical-legal determination on apportionment
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Recognize the law requires impartiality and prohibits discrimination against injured workers based on protected characteristics including sexual orientation, race, gender, age, national origin, and religion
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Identify applicable Administrative Rules including how to schedule QME appointments, how to add or close a QME office, and how to place your QME status as unavailable or inactive
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Discuss the importance of issuing timely reports and the consequences of late reporting
Accreditation Information:
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the California Medical Association (CMA) through the joint providership of The Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH) and the State of California Department of Industrial Relations Division of Workers’ Compensation. The Center for Occupational and Environmental Health is accredited by the CMA to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
