Dr. Claire Johnson, professor and editor in chief of the NUHS journals, has been invited to serve on the medical evidence evaluation advisory committee (MEEAC) of California’s Division of Workers’ Compensation. The members of MEEAC are appointed by the California Medical Director and consist of 17 members of the medical community. There is one representative from each of the licenses and specialties, which includes the degrees of medical doctor (MD); doctor of osteopathy (DO); doctor of chiropractic (DC); physical therapy (PT); occupational therapy (OT); acupuncture (LAc); and doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM). The purpose of the committee is to ensure injured workers have access to effective and appropriate treatment. The committee meets four times per year and evaluates scientific evidence using ACOEM’s strength of evidence rating methodology. The committee also evaluates evidence where there are no medical treatment guidelines available.

“It is an honor to be selected to serve on this committee,” said Dr. Johnson. “I look forward to working with the other committee members to address the important issues that the worker compensations system faces. The tremendous amount of scientific information we have available today helps inform decisions, but also complicates decision making since so many factors must be considered. Thus, a collaborative group approach is an excellent way to try to solve health issues. We will not only focus on what is right for the system so that it remains viable, but also contribute to information that will support decisions for improved healthcare. I enjoy working in collaborative environments with other health care professionals in which the health of the patient and public are the primary foci. When these group efforts are done correctly, differences between the professions diminish and the result is healthier patients and communities.”