CA Division of Workers’ Compensation Seeks Nominations for Medical Guideline Advisory Committee

Oakland, CA (WorkersCompensation.com) - The Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) is seeking nominations for its Medical Evidence Evaluation Advisory Committee (MEEAC). This committee will, under the guidance of the DWC executive medical director, use the hierarchy of evidence set forth in the division's medical treatment guideline regulations to systematically review evidence and make recommendations to the DWC administrative director on revising, updating or supplementing the treatment guidelines.

“The committee's work in previous years was critical in establishing evidence-based guidelines for treatment for work-related injuries,” said DWC Executive Medical Director Dr. Rupali Das. “We now seek to re-establish this committee to update and expand the work that has been accomplished to date. We invite nominations now and plan to establish a committee of the most highly qualified, eligible practitioners who will continue to advance the evidence-based guideline process.”

The division is seeking nominations from the following fields:

• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic
• Family medicine
• Internal medicine
• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedics
• Occupational medicine
• Occupational therapy
• Pain specialty
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Physical therapy
• Podiatry
• Psychiatry
• Psychology

Please refer to the applicable regulations set forth in California Code of Regulations, Title 8, section 9792.26 for further information about eligibility to participate in the MEEAC.

The existing Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS), commonly referred to as the medical treatment guidelines regulations, was adopted in 2007 and amended in 2009. The current MTUS is comprised of various body parts chapters of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine's Occupational Medicine Practice Guidelines, 2nd Ed., 2004 (ACOEM Practice Guidelines), the ACOEM Practice Guidelines' elbow chapter, updated 2007; portions of the Official Disability Guidelines (ODG, 2009), and guidelines from the State of Colorado.

“Evidence-based medicine applies the best available scientific knowledge to guide clinical decision making, reduce unnecessary treatment, and get ill and injured individuals back to health,” said Das. “While the current guidelines provide reasonable guidance for treatment, they need to be updated to reflect state-of-the-art scientific evidence. This committee's first priority will be to establish the framework for updating the existing guidelines.”

Members of the Medical Evidence Evaluation Advisory Committee will serve a term of two years and remain in the position until a successor is selected.

Nominees should send a cover letter describing their medical specialty, qualifications, and interest to serve on the committee, and full curriculum vitae, no later than Aug. 31 to Ms. Teidi Lee-Padua by email to TLee-padua@dir.ca.gov or by regular mail at:

Ms. Teidi Lee-Padua
Division of Workers' Compensation
1515 Clay Street, 18th floor
Oakland CA 94612

Share This Article: