55         An assessment is not to be made using the AMA5 for:

a)      mental and behavioural impairments (psychiatric conditions) – see Chapter 5 – Psychiatric conditions;

b)      impairments of the visual system – see Chapter 6 – The visual system;

c)       hearing impairment – see Chapter 7 – Ear, nose and throat disorders; or

d)      chronic pain conditions, except in the case of migraine or tension headaches – see Section 9.13.3 (Chronic pain conditions).

56         In the event that an impairment is of a kind that cannot be assessed in accordance with either the provisions of this Guide or the AMA5 (that is, where an assessment of 0% or more is not possible), the assessor should use their use clinical judgment, comparing measurable permanent impairment resulting from the injury to measurable permanent impairment resulting from similar conditions with similar impairment of body part, system or function.

57         For further information relating to the application of this Guide, please contact the Seacare Authority Secretariat on 02 6275 0070 or email seacare@comcare.gov.au.

LIST OF REFERENCES

58         Abramson MJ et al, 1996, ‘Evaluation of impairment, disability and handicap caused by respiratory disease’, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine, 26, 697-701.

59         American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 1999, ‘Sleep related breathing disorders in adults: Recommendations for syndrome definition and measurement techniques in clinical research’, Sleep, 22, 667-689.

60         American Medical Association, 1995, Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 4th edition, Chicago: American Medical Association.

61         American Medical Association, 2001, Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 5th edition, Chicago: American Medical Association.

62         American Thoracic Society Ad Hoc Committee on Impairment/Disability Criteria, 1986, ‘Evaluation of impairment/ disability secondary to respiratory disorders’, American Review of Respiratory Diseases, 133, 1205-09

63         American Thoracic Society, 1993, ‘Guidelines for the evaluation of impairment/disability in patients with asthma’, American Review of Respiratory Diseases, 147, 1056-61.

64         Cummings J, Mega M, Gray K, Rosenberg-Thompson S, Carusi D, Gornbein J, ‘The Neuropsychiatric Inventory: comprehensive assessment of psychopathology in dementia’, Neurology, 1994, 44, 2308-2314.

65         Ensalada LH, ‘Complex regional pain syndrome’, in Brigham CR, ed, The Guides Casebook, Chicago, Ill: American Medical Association, 1999, 14.