The most credible treatment guideline in existence
today that pertains to Chiropractic healthcare is "Mercy". However,
Mercy was written in 1992 and a wealth of quality research has been
performed and reported since Mercy was published. An exciting new
document is being developed (due for release in 2005) by the Council
on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters (CCGPP) that focuses
on "Best Practices" vs. "Guidelines". As most clinicians have discovered,
guidelines can be horribly misused and abuse by consultants and claims/case
managers who do not seem to understand their limitations. Guidelines
serve as background information upon which to glean an "ideal" starting
point for review. Guidelines should not be used as cookbooks or prescriptions
for care, and should not be used to deny care as a sole reason for
the denial. Many ill-informed or disingenuous consultants rely on
just the research and fail to understand that "Best Practice Initiatives"
include three integral components; (1) research, (2) clinical decision
making, and (3) patient values.
Visit the "Current Guidelines" section found under the "For Attorneys/Insurers"
link for more information on ODG, Mercy, Milliman and Robertson, Croft/Whiplash
and Best Practice guidelines. |
