The introduction of a new system for assessing daily functioning has raised many questions. One of them is who is the treating physician and what are his or her tasks? Let's try to explain.
The new system will replace the outdated medical and social expertise (MSEK) and will become more transparent, convenient, and closer to the needs of patients.
Who is the treating physician?
The referral must be made by the attending physician. The attending physician is a specialized specialist who accompanies the patient during his treatment and examination. His main task is to provide medical care, organize a medical examination and, if necessary, issue a referral for an assessment of the person's daily functioning, professionally justifying the patient's condition and needs for the expert team.
If the patient has several diseases that cause disability
In cases where a patient has several diseases that significantly affect their functional status, the doctor is determined depending on the main diagnosis that caused the most disability. However:
- The attending physician may involve other specialists to form a complete picture of the patient's diseases.
- In complex cases or as needed, the medical team coordinates all available diagnoses to consider all aspects of the patient's functioning during the assessment.
In accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Regarding the Reform of Medical and Social Expertise and the Implementation of Assessment of a Person’s Daily Functioning”, a referral for assessment of a person’s daily functioning, with the consent of the person, may be carried out by:
- attending physician for primary care;
- attending physician of a healthcare facility that provides
- specialized medical care;
- Chairman of the military medical (medical expert) and medical (military medical) commission.
For example:
- A patient has limb paresis due to an acute cerebral stroke, but also has chronic kidney disease. The primary physician may be a neurologist, but a nephrologist is also involved in the examination.
- If a patient has a malignant tumor and concomitant limb trauma, an oncologist may be the priority, but the case is also supplemented by information from a traumatologist.
What are the responsibilities of the attending physician?
- Formation of the patient's case:
- Filling out an electronic form with structured data (full name, diagnosis, contact information).
- Adding medical documents (scanned copies)
- Collecting consent to the processing of personal data.
- Referral for assessment:
- Selection of a specialized expert team depending on the patient's diagnosis.
- Indication of the desired form of assessment (face-to-face, in-person, distance).
- Transfer of the case through the electronic system.
- Facilitating a fast process:
- In case of acute conditions or specific diagnoses, referrals can be issued without waiting for 120 days of incapacity for work.
- Quick referral for repeat examinations or consultations.
Why is the attending physician important?
The attending physician is the first person the patient encounters in the new system. The quality and speed of the assessment depends on his professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to organize the process. The physician also ensures transparency and completeness of documentation, which is the basis for fair decisions by expert teams.
The new system is designed to make the patient's journey easier and the work of doctors more understandable and efficient.
