J Korean Med Assoc.  2008 Jul;51(7):664-671. 10.5124/jkma.2008.51.7.664.

Disability Evaluation

• Lee KS

• KMID: 2185917
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2008.51.7.664

Abstract

Systematic and effective means for promoting and protecting the welfare of the disabled requires reliable criteria that accurately demonstrate the presence and measure the severity of the disability. Given the same disability, however, the degree of that disability may measure differently according to the particular criteria used in Korea. In addition to inconsistency, the varying set of criteria has resulted in significant diagnostic errors, fraud, and malingers, leading to overall distrust and dissatisfaction. Accurate disability evaluation is the key for the welfare for the disabled. Evaluation of the physical impairment is possible only by the medical doctors. Doctors should know the concept, purpose, and methods of disability evaluation.

Keyword

Disability evaluation; Public health; Workers' compensation; Social welfare

MeSH Terms

Diagnostic Errors
Disability Evaluation
Fraud
Korea
Public Health
Social Welfare
Workers' Compensation

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Estimated number of disability evaluation in Korea.

• 

  Figure 2 Estimated cost of disability evaluation in Korea.

Reference

1. Lee KS. Development of a Korean guide for impairment rating. Health and Welfare Policy Forum. 2008. 138:15–26.

2. Rondinelli RD, editor. Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment. 2008. 6th ed. San Diego: American Medical Association.

3. Lee KS. Medical consideration on the reparation and compensation. 2002. 4th ed. Seoul: Joongangmunhwasa.

4. Suh TW. Current status and direction of the expansion of statutory disabilities in the disability act. Indep Med Exam. 2005. 2:12–16.

5. Choi ES. International classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF). Indep Med Exam. 2005. 2:71–77.

6. Jung HY. The changing concept of impairment and disability. Indep Med Exam. 2005. 2:5–11.

7. Kwon SJ. Expansion of disability categories and the task of disability policy. Health and Welfare Policy Forum. 1996. 1:61–64.

8. Patel B, Buschbacher R, Crawford J. National variability in permanent partial impairment ratings. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2003. 82:302–306.

9. Aronoff GM. Chronic pain and the disability epidemic. Clin J Pain. 1991. 7:330–338.

10. Aronoff GM, Livengood JM. Pain: psychiatric aspects of impairment and disability. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2003. 7:105–115.

11. Lee KS, Bae HG, Yun IG, Doh JW. An estimation of economic costs for disability evaluation in Korea. Indep Med Exam. 2007. 4:28–34.

12. Lim KS. Basics of Compensation Medicine. 2000. 4th ed. Seoul: Joongangmunwhasa;40–119.

13. McBride ED. Disability Evaluation. 1963. 6th ed. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Company.

14. Mooney V. Impairment, disability, and handicap. Clin Orthop. 1987. 221:14–25.

15. Lee KS. Disability Evaluation and Independent Medical Examination. 2002. Seoul: Joongangmunhwasa.

16. Carey TS, Hadler NM. The role of the primary physician in disability determination for social security insurance and workers' compensation. Ann Intern Med. 1986. 104:706–710.

17. Demeter SL. Disability evaluation. Occup Med. 1998. 13:315–323.

18. Lee SH. The disability evaluating system in U.S.A. Indep Med Exam. 2005. 2:22–26.

19. Cho KH. The present condition and problems of the guideline for disability evaluation in Korea. Indep Med Exam. 2004. 1:35–37.

20. Lee KS. Assessment of physical impairment and disability evaluation. J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 1994. 23:276–282.

21. Lee SG. Problems of assessment of physical impairment and disability evaluation in central nervous system in Korea. Indep Med Exam. 2004. 1:20–25.

22. Lee SG. Review of the disability grade documents with central nervous system impairment in the law of ministry of health and welfare. Indep Med Exam. 2006. 3:6–11.

23. Li Z, Kang SH, Lee SD. Review of Korean disability evaluation systems and suggestions for the improvement direction. Korean J Leg Med. 2007. 31:16–30.

24. Rhee CO, Choi JK, Son MA, Moon OR. A comparative study on evaluation methods of permanent impairment in Korea. Korean J Prev Med. 1994. 27:627–651.