Education for examiners

Educate examiners on proper documentation.  It is vital that the exam documentation be thorough, precise, and accurate. It is essential that examiners receive education on the importance of proper documentation and on report writing that fits their role and is unbiased. 
 
Involved law enforcement representatives and advocates should understand the importance of examiner documentation and be able to convey that importance to patients. 
 
Ensure the accuracy and objectivity of medical forensic reports.  It is suggested that examiners within an exam site, jurisdiction, or region, devise an appropriate review process tailored to their needs. Consider having a clinical director or supervisor at the exam site systematically review documentation related to the exam. (In some jurisdictions, review of nonphysician examiner’s documentation by a medical director/supervisor is required.) These reviews can serve to increase the overall effectiveness of the examiner program by ensuring that reports are filled out according to policy, assessing staff training needs, considering adjustments needed to paperwork, troubleshooting for potential problems, and identifying trends in presenting issues of patients. All identifying patient information should be removed when a document is copied for a review. The clinical director or supervisor can also be involved in broader multidisciplinary quality assurance efforts related to the exam process.


Go to the Next Section: The Medical Forensic History

Download printer-friendly versions