Decoding Medical Rehabilitation Terms

In today’s multi-cultural society, there is no doubt it is helpful to know a second or even third language in addition to English. However, in the insurance industry, although being multi-lingual is an asset, the most critical language to have a solid understanding of is the ‘language of insurance’. The complex nature of insurance industry documentation sometimes makes it seem as though it is written in its own language: a cross between insurance, medical and legal terms.

To decode file information, the adjuster seemingly needs to be part insurer, part rehabilitation professional and part lawyer. Furthermore, many terms have abbreviations, making it all the more difficult to decipher the language.

A few of the most commonly used terms and their abbreviations include:

ABI = Acquired Brain Injury

Injury to the brain which results in a change in its functioning be it temporary or permanent.

ADL = Activities of Daily Living

Activities normally conducted daily including self-care (such as eating, bathing, dressing, grooming) work, homemaking and leisure. The ability or inability to perform activities of daily living can be used as a practical measure of ability/disability in relation to many injuries and disorders.

ADP = Assistive Devices Program

Funded and managed by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care with the objective of providing consumer centered support and funding to Ontario residents who have long-term physical disabilities and to provide access to personalized assistive devices appropriate for the individual’s basic needs.

Ax = Assessment

Indicates the assessment that was recommended or conducted.

CCRC = Canadian Certified Rehabilitation Counsellor

Designation for individuals engaged in rehabilitation counseling.

CLCP = Certified Life Care Planner

Professional who has achieved the Certified Life Care Planning designation (usually a regulated health professional who has gone on to do further training). Trained to develop future care cost assessments/life care plans and/or critiques by outlining the injured individual’s current and future needs and quantifying the costs related to these needs over the client’s entire lifespan. Typically completed for individuals who have experienced catastrophic injury or have chronic healthcare needs.

CT or CAT Scan = Computed Tomography Scan or Computed Axial Tomography

Used to diagnose a wide range of illnesses and injury because it has the ability to create computerized images of a combination of soft tissue, bone and blood vessels.

DC = Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine (Chiropractor)

Registered healthcare professional trained in the relationship between the musculoskeletal system (i. e., complex system that includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves) and function of the body, especially the spinal column and nervous system.

DOB = Date of Birth

Date the client was born.

DOL = Date of Loss

Date that the client’s injuries were sustained.

FAE = Functional Abilities Evaluation

Assessment that tests and quantifies an individual’s physical abilities in order to determine his/her ability to perform essential duties related to work and activities of daily living.

FSCO = Financial Services Commission of Ontario

An organization that integrates the operations of the former Ontario Insurance Commission, Pension Commission of Ontario, and Deposit Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance. It is made up of three main parts: the Commission, the Financial Services Tribunal and the Superintendent and Staff.

GCS = Glasgow Coma Scale

A neurological scale that provides a reliable, objective way of assessing the conscious state of an individual based on criteria that provides a score between three (indicating deep unconsciousness) and 15 (indicating fully awake and responsive). The scale includes three tests: eye, verbal and motor responses and each value is considered separately, as well as in combination.

IBC = Insurance Bureau of Canada

national industry association representing Canada’s private home, car and business insurers.

IE = Insurer Examination

assessment by a regulated health-care professional that provides an objective review and examination of an individual’s injury/disability and necessary treatment.

LMS = Labour Market Survey

Involves surveying potential employers specific to the client’s identified job/occupation. This outreach is combined with additional research via databases, the internet and employment periodicals about potential employers, job availability in desired geographic region(s), and salary information to provide a comprehensive overview of the job market specific to the client’s identified job/occupation.

MRI = Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Diagnostic technique that produces computerized images of internal body tissues and organs by applying radio waves to induce a nuclear magnetic resonance of atoms within the body.

MSW = Social Worker with Master of Social Work degree

Registered health-care professional trained to help people develop their skills and their ability to use their own resources and those of the community to resolve problems. Social workers can help assist individuals and families understand the complexities and changes following life-altering injury.

OT = Occupational Therapist

Registered health-care professional trained to help individuals manage activities of daily living, as well as activities related to leisure and work (e. g., dressing, grooming, cooking and specific motor skills required for vocation).

PSW = Personal Support Worker

Designation of individuals who assist in a wide range of rehabilitative activities to facilitate the rehabilitation process including: range of motion exercises, taking blood pressure, temperature and pulse, ambulating and mobilization, collecting specimens for medical tests, personal hygiene, meal preparation, grocery shopping, dietary planning, etc.

PT = Physiotherapist

Registered health-care professional trained to assess and manage the underlying cause of joint, muscle and nerve injuries and provide treatment to restore function or, in the case of permanent injury, to reduce the impact of dysfunction.

RHP = Regulated Health-care Professional

Designation of individuals who have met the requirements of a regulatory body and are governed by them. The Regulated Health Act regulates 23 health professions through various regulatory bodies called colleges that set the standards for skills, knowledge and behaviour for their members.

RMT = Registered Massage Therapist

Designation of individuals who provide massage therapy. To become a Massage Therapist in Ontario an individual must complete a 2200 hour educational program at an educational institution recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. The individual must register with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO)which includes the completion of certification examinations.

RN = Registered Nurse

Designation of individuals who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and are trained to provide medical care under supervision of a physician.

RRP = Registered Rehabilitation Professional

Designation of individuals who work with people with disabilities and disadvantages and their families to provide services and supports such as assessment, affective/adjustment counselling, vocational counselling, case management and job placement services. They facilitate, manage and implement individual rehabilitation plans.

RSW = Rehabilitation Community Support Specialist

Designation of individuals who provide front-line community based support to p
eople with disabling conditions, chronic health, mental health and addictions.

RVP = Registered Vocational Professional

Designation of individuals who provide vocational/employment services within the rehabilitation field. For example: vocational/employment counselors, job placement and job development specialists, supported employment counselors/coordinators, return-to-work coordinators, transition specialists, administer preemployment/job readiness programs, etc.

Rx = Medicine

Indicates the medicine prescribed.

SCI = Spinal Cord Injury

Injury to the spinal cord that results in a change in its functioning that is temporary or permanent.

TMJ and TMD

TMJ is the temporomandibular joint — an important joint in the jaw. Although it is the specific joint’s name, it is commonly used to describe a group of muscle disorders called temporamandibular disorder or TMD. It is the wide range of disorders that cause pain and dysfunction to the jaw and surrounding muscles.

TSA = Transferable Skills Analysis

Identifies transferable skills and provides recommendations of suitable alternative jobs/occupations.

Tx = Treatment

Indicates the therapy recommended or conducted.

Judy Farrimond, R. N., CLCP, is supervisor of complex and catastrophic services at Sibley Inc.