HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Dr. Mohammed I. Ranavaya, M.D., J.D., professor in the department of family and community health and chief of the division of occupational, environmental and disability medicine at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, recently presented a keynote lecture at The Academy of Insurance Medicine of Asia’s 9th Scientific Conference in Taiwan.

Ranavaya’s presentation, “Psychiatric Disability Claims-Where To With Functionality and Impairment Assessment?” highlighted the latest findings in evaluating disability claims based on scientific methodology and why psychiatric diagnosis is not necessarily equivalent to disability.

“There are many psychiatric disability claims that are valid, but some are not,” Ranavaya said. “My presentation covered the current exponential rise of disability claims from mental and behavioral disorders which are resulting in major economic loss throughout the world from both direct and indirect costs related to exaggerated claims. There are many studies which have shown that work validates one's self image and lack of work in and of itself causes increased morbidity and leads to poor mental health including depression, anxiety as well as substance abuse and risky sexual behavior. Work improves physical and mental well-being and physicians should recognize the therapeutic benefit for patients of returning to work or staying at work.”

Ranavaya also said that return to work strategies should be part of a patient’s overall treatment plan.

The scientific assembly was attended by more than 500 physicians and other health care providers from all over Asia Pacific as well as Europe and Africa.

The Academy of Insurance Medicine was established in 1998 and is a professional association for physicians employed by life insurance companies in Asia.

Date Posted: Tuesday, November 5, 2013