During the examination

Setting expectations

At the start of the medical examination, the IME should explain their area of medical practice, their role and the purpose, nature and extent of the examination that will be conducted. If you have questions about the purpose, nature and extent of the examination, please ask the IME to clarify them for you.

Talking to you

The IME will talk to you and ask about your injury and condition, including:

the medical history of your injury
treatment you have had or are receiving
your current symptoms
your relevant personal or social history
your work history (e.g. your duties at the time of your injury, whether you have returned to work, or your capacity for work)
your daily activities and interests

The medical examination often includes a direct form of questioning which may appear impersonal.

Please be aware that the IME may also ask questions that do not directly relate to your injury, as the IME needs to understand the extent of your injury and how it affects your life.

It may be necessary to ask you in-depth questions about your family and personal history, to better understand your circumstances. These types of questions are more likely to be asked by psychologists and psychiatrists.

The physical examination

The independent medical examination may include a physical examination to properly assess your injury, including the need to test joint movements. Sometimes the medical examination will involve parts of your body which may not have been injured, to better understand the way the injury is affecting other parts of your body. An example of this is the need to examine the arms and legs when there has been spinal injury as nerves to these parts travel through the spine.

The type of medical examination will vary depending on the specialty.

Will the IME give me direct advice about treatment of my injuries or tell me the diagnosis?

No. The IME is not your treating practitioner and is not allowed to provide you with direct treatment advice or discuss their diagnosis or opinion.

The IME will ask you questions about your treatment, including medications, so that this can be documented in the report. This discussion is not providing you with direct treatment advice, but clarifying treatment being provided by your treating practitioner.

Following your medical examination, the IME will provide a report to the TAC outlining their examination, diagnosis and opinion.


During the examination Setting expectations At the start of the medical examination, the IME should explain their area of medical practice, their role and the purpose, nature and extent of the examination that will be conducted. If you have questions about the purpose, nature and extent of the examination, please ask the IME to clarify them for you. Talking to you The IME will talk to you and ask about your injury and condition, including: the medical history of your injury treatment you have had or are receiving your current symptoms your relevant personal or social history your work history (e.g. your duties at the time of your injury, whether you have returned to work, or your capacity for work) your daily activities and interests The medical examination often includes a direct form of questioning which may appear impersonal. Please be aware that the IME may also ask questions that do not directly relate to your injury, as the IME needs to understand the extent of your injury and how it affects your life. It may be necessary to ask you in-depth questions about your family and personal history, to better understand your circumstances. These types of questions are more likely to be asked by psychologists and psychiatrists. The physical examination The independent medical examination may include a physical examination to properly assess your injury, including the need to test joint movements. Sometimes the medical examination will involve parts of your body which may not have been injured, to better understand the way the injury is affecting other parts of your body. An example of this is the need to examine the arms and legs when there has been spinal injury as nerves to these parts travel through the spine. The type of medical examination will vary depending on the specialty. Will the IME give me direct advice about treatment of my injuries or tell me the diagnosis? No. The IME is not your treating practitioner and is not allowed to provide you with direct treatment advice or discuss their diagnosis or opinion. The IME will ask you questions about your treatment, including medications, so that this can be documented in the report. This discussion is not providing you with direct treatment advice, but clarifying treatment being provided by your treating practitioner. Following your medical examination, the IME will provide a report to the TAC outlining their examination, diagnosis and opinion.