The independent medical examiner (IME) is to be a specialist qualified to treat the worker’s injury. The IME must be in clinical practice if the reason for referral concerns questions on treatment.

All referrals to independent medical examiners are to be to appropriately qualified medical practitioners who have the expertise to adequately respond to the question(s) outlined in the referral.

Referrers are to ensure that medical specialists with specific expertise are selected, ie a hand or plastic surgeon for hand injuries, a spinal surgeon for complex back injuries, a neurosurgeon or rehabilitation specialist for head injuries.