The message <[log in to unmask]>
from John R PASKINS <[log in to unmask]> contains these words:
> A recent TV programme suggested that 40% of post RTA claims for whiplash injury were fraudulent.
> All of these people moust have been seen by a doctor so does this
mean that we as a group can be fooled by 40% of the people all of the time?
Errr... some people are out to milk the system for what they can get!
As a profession, we try to be helpful and sympathetic. The cynic in
me says I must listen to all I am told, but that I don't have to
believe it all!
> I would be interested in what you think. My view is that most of the patients I see have genuine symptoms.......
I agree. I mostly see people within 48 hours of their incident. At
this point, I am sure they _are_ genuine. I always warn them that
they will get worse before they get better. I think failure to do
this might be the start of a _lot_ of trouble. I would speculate that
these people go on to have chronic problems of the pain -> spasm ->
misuse -> pain cycle nature.
> What signs do you think can be faked? What are the clues?
Ummm... pardon my ignorance, aside from muscle spasm, what signs
*are* there in most whiplash injuries?
> What do you reckon?
I reckon that some people take much time off work after whiplash
injuries and that, generally, the A&E fraternity are not supplying
the bulk of the sick notes.
Of course we are gullible; we don't expect our patients are 'taking
us for a ride'. Unforunately sometimes they are.
--
Helen D. Vecht: [log in to unmask]
Edgware.
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