Abstract:
These guidelines, developed by the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) and the
Psychiatry Management Group (PsychMg) offer a comprehensive framework for conducting
psychiatric independent medical examinations (IMEs) in South Africa. They serve as a valuable
resource for psychiatrists involved in evaluating disability claims, providing a standardised
approach to psychiatric assessment and reporting. These guidelines address the challenges
inherent in determining psychiatric impairment, including premature determinations of
permanent inability to work and inconsistencies in diagnosis and prognosis. They emphasise the
importance of objectivity, avoiding conflicts of interest and maintaining professional ethics in the
IME process. By providing a structured methodology and reporting format, these guidelines aim
to facilitate informed decision-making by third parties, such as insurance companies and the
courts, in assessing mental health-related disability claims.
Description:
DATA AVAILABILITY : The data that support the findings of this study are available
from the corresponding author, C.G., upon reasonable
request.
