Disability Evaluation

Kyeong-Seok Lee

doi:10.5124/jkma.2008.51.7.664

J Korean Med Assoc > Volume 51(7); 2008 > Article

Lee: Disability Evaluation

Continuing Education Column

Journal of the Korean Medical Association

Journal of the Korean Medical Association 2008; 51(7): 664-671.

Published online: July 31, 2008

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2008.51.7.664

Disability Evaluation

Kyeong-Seok Lee, MD

Department of Neurosurgery, Soonchunhyang University college of Medicine, Korea. ksleens@sch.ac.kr

Abstract

Systematic and effective means for promoting and protecting the welfare of the disabled requires reliable criteria that accurately demonstrate the presence and measure the severity of the disability. Given the same disability, however, the degree of that disability may measure differently according to the particular criteria used in Korea. In addition to inconsistency, the varying set of criteria has resulted in significant diagnostic errors, fraud, and malingers, leading to overall distrust and dissatisfaction. Accurate disability evaluation is the key for the welfare for the disabled. Evaluation of the physical impairment is possible only by the medical doctors. Doctors should know the concept, purpose, and methods of disability evaluation.

Disability evaluation; Public health; Workers' compensation; Social welfare

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Figure 1

Estimated number of disability evaluation in Korea.

Figure 2

Estimated cost of disability evaluation in Korea.

Table 1

Types of disabilities in the Korean Welfare Law for the Disabled (2003)