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September 2008- Vol 1, Issue 2 |
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Quick Reminder |
To schedule appointments
call (510) 208-4700
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| Upcoming Events |
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9/16 CAJPA Conference in
South Lake Tahoe
10/3 CSIA Fall Program in San
Francisco
10/8 PIWC Conference in
Fresno
10/17 SF ICA Golf Tournament
in Walnut Creek | |
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| QME Seminar: Apportionment Overview |
This summer, Newton Medical Group physicians attended a six hour DWC accredited QME seminar on apportionment. Since the 2004 reforms, the two areas of medical legal reports that draw extra attention are apportionment and the AMA Guides disability estimates.
The QME seminar covered Apportionment concepts and provided an overview of case law and it's development since the 2004 reforms.
This course was put on by Fredric Newton, MD and Shawn King, JD. The focus covered all recent important cases including Escobedo, Pasquatto,Yeager, Milivojivich and, most importantly, the Benson case. The Benson case effectively overturns the Wilkinson doctrine and that was discussed at length.
Newton Medical Group continues to "set the standard" and strive for the highest caliber reporting in the industry. In addition to attending courses such as this, our physicians visit websites such as www.workcompcentral.com and read publications such as "The Workers Compensation Enquirer" and "The Reporter" on a regular basis. |
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| Newton Medical Group Physician "Olympic 2008" Team |
 Congratulations to all the participating athletes last month at the Olympic 2008 Games. New records were set, history was made, and medalists walked away setting the standard for their sport. At Newton Medical Group, we also believe in setting the standard. The following physicians are a part of our team that provides the right formula of quality reports and AMA Guide compliant reports under the Newton Mentoring Program since 2005.
John Tacheff, D.D.S.- Dentistry
Are you hearing complaints of locked jaw or dental problems possibly due to medications? Dentistry in worker's comp is not all about white teeth and pretty smiles. This is a specialist who focuses on primary injury and secondary (derivative) dental issues.
Glenhall Taylor, M.D.- Psychiatry
Dr. Taylor also has additional training in Addiction Medicine and treatment of chronic pain disorders which are very pertinent to the evaluation of the growing numbers of injured workers with these problems.
Ana Marta Salinas, M.D.- Physiatry
Dr. Salinas is currently seeing patients in Oakland, Sacramento, San Jose and Fresno. She is bilingual-Spanish & English and available for coordinated reevals.
John Parke, Psy.D.- Clinical Psychology
Dr. Parke has an impressive background in pain management and is available for Worker's Comp cases and Longshore & Harbor Worker cases, including those that involve PTSD.
Dr. Moses Jacob, D.C.-Chiropractic
Dr. Jacob has been an industry respected chiropractor for over 10 years. He is currently seeing patients in Oakland, Sacramento and San Jose.
For any more information, CVs or scheduling, visit www.NewtonMedicalGroup.com or contact the PR Department. Physicians are also available for presentations or seminars upon your request. |
| Glenhall E. Taylor, M.D.-Psychiatry at Newton Medical Group |
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Glenhall E. Taylor, M.D. is our newest psychiatrist and already provides AME quality reports. As mentioned above, Dr. Taylor has additional training in Addiction Medicine and treatment of chronic pain disorders which are pertinent to the evaluation of the growing numbers of injured workers with these problems.
Dr. Taylor revealed his evaluation tips determining pain or addiction. The key to proper assessment lies in the definitations of tolerance, physical dependence, and psychological dependence aka addiction.
- Tolerance is the need to increase a drug to achieve the same effect.
- Physical dependence is the development of a withdrawal syndrome when drug stopped.
- Psychological Dependence is loss of control, compulsive drug use, and use despite harm.
Addiction is primary neurobiological with genetic, psychosocial & environmental factors.
Addiction assessment include past history, family history and psych D.O. Other components include loss of control, adverse consequences, drug seeking behavior, drug taking reliability, drug taking history (abuse of other drug prescription drugs)
and contact with drug culture. |
| Dr. Taylor Tips Continued: When Good Drugs Go Bad... |
 Finally if it is pain...when do we use opiates? How much is enough? When do they stop working or worse...when do good drugs go bad?
The advantage of opiods is there no therapeutic ceiling for many due to genetic difference, varying pathology, sedation overcome in 7 days and no organ toxicity. Disadvantages of opiods include hyperalgesia, lowered testosterone in men, substance abuse, mental impairment, and depression.
QME ALERT: DSM IV - TR
- Opiate Dependence in DSM-IV-TR is a set of behaviors that differ from physical dependence
- Often used for patients with chronic pain on Prescription Medicine
Treatment should include 18 days supplies/Zero Refills, all patients get random urine, random pill count, no phone refills, no emergency fills, review if over set dose/frequency, medical management plan, cognitive behavioral plan, and non-pharmacological pain management plan. | |
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To schedule an appointment, please call
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