Role of the Medical Consultant

July 1, 2022 and still in effect

7.4

Purpose

This policy explains the role of the medical consultant.

Definitions

Appeal Tribunal means the appeal tribunal continued under Part 5 of the Act

board means the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Board

worker means a person who performs work or services for an employer under a contract of service or apprenticeship, written, or oral, express or implied and as further defined in section 77 of the Act

Policy Statement

1. General

The Act provides that the president must appoint one or more medical consultants, who have the following duties:

    a. to provide ongoing educational and advisory assistance to the board on health care matters generally;

    b. to advise the board with respect to health care issues that are involved in claims for compensation; and

    c. to perform any other duties that are related to health care issues as determined by the president.
 

2. Role

The role of the medical consultant is:

    a. to provide opinion to board staff, the Appeal Tribunal and the board of directors on compensation and medical issues;

    b. to review and interpret medical reports as required;

    c. to participate in the case management process;

    d. to examine injured workers;

    e. to comment on recommended medical treatment options for injured workers;

    f. to assess and provide ratings for workers’ work-related permanent impairments;

    g. to provide education and training to board staff in the area of medicine;

    h. to provide prevention education to employers and workers in the area of medicine;

    i. to liaise on behalf of the board with the medical community both within and outside Yukon;

    j. to serve as a resource in policy development that is medical in nature;

    k. to research medical issues which are of relevance to the board;

    l. to assist in the medical surveillance programs; and

    m. to assist board staff in the investigation of workplace accidents.
 

3. Alternate Medical Consultant

An alternate medical consultant will act on behalf of the board when a medical consultant is the injured worker’s physician.
 

4. Hiring of the Medical Consultant

Medical consultants will be hired by the president of the board.