Objective
An outpatient assessment at an early stage serves to evaluate the specific restrictions and resources of a patient and to establish the best methods of further treatment.

Relevant insurance terms and conditions are taken into consideration during this process. However, the object of the outpatient assessment is not to evaluate the work-related abilities of the patient or to provide an opinion on the cause of the dysfunction.

The assessment report contains a summary of the examination results and recommendations including reasoning with regard to:

• diagnoses and clarification
• treatment– rehabilitation
• socio-medical and work-related measures

Primary indications

Dysfunction within three months of the start of:

• dysfunction of the cervical spine
• dysfunction of the back
• other problem areas as required
  
  The ideal time for the assessment is six to eight weeks after the start of work incapacity
  As is well known, after approximately six weeks the risk of the problem becoming chronic and leading to invalidity increases considerably with the duration of the dysfunction and absence from work. The assessment should therefore be performed between six and twelve weeks at the latest after an accident or the commencement of the dysfunction. In the case of extended acute treatment after severe accidents or reintegration that failed for other reasons, an assessment is indicated at a later point as required.
  
  An assessment is particularly useful if progress is stagnating, if there are therapeutic issues that have not been clarified, or if the experts involved differ in their opinions with regard to further procedures.
  
  Outpatient assessment procedure (one day)
  Before meeting with the patient, the medical director of the outpatient assessment will review the patient's record. If required, the referring physician will also be consulted before the meeting with the patient.

The assessment includes the following elements:

• medical history and medical results
• standardised interview using a suitable questionnaire
• physical performance tests
• trial treatment and trial training
• structured evaluation of the patient's handling of pain as well as his/her motivation and consistency
• analysis of the results by the team and (as a rule) a meeting with the case manager

If necessary, additional diagnostics and clarification will be initiated (e.g. further imaging diagnostics, medical consultations, on-site workplace evaluation).

A comprehensive report will usually be prepared within five working days, unless the results of additional diagnostics and clarification are outstanding.

Information/Registration
Assessment Centre Secretariat
Ms. Claudia Diethelm
Bellikon Rehabilitation Clinic
5454 Bellikon, Switzerland
Phone +41(0) 56 485 54 03
Fax +41(0) 56 485 52 88
claudia.diethelm@rehabellikon.ch

Director
Dr. med. Salih Muminagic
Director of the Assessment Centre
Specialist for physical medicine and rehabilitation FMH (Swiss Medical Association)
Additional qualifications: Manual medicine (SAMM), Psychosomatic and Psychosocial Medicine SAPPM, Delegated Psychotherapy SGDP, Interventional Pain Therapy SSIPM
Bellikon Rehabilitation Clinic
5454 Bellikon, Switzerland
Phone +41(0) 485 50 28
F +41(0) 485 52 88
salih.muminagic@rehabellikon.ch