Designated doctor (DD) and certifying doctor training
OPTIONAL - DD 101 workshop
This recommended workshop introduces the DD’s role in the workers’ compensation system. Attendees will learn DD duties and an overview of the processes and resources used in performing their duties per the applicable rules and statutes.
Health care providers interested in becoming DDs and new DDs are encouraged to attend as well as current DDs wanting to improve their basic knowledge and skills. Continuing medical education (CME) credit is provided for this training.
This course does not fulfill any requirement for training or testing required for certification or recertification as a DD.
REQUIRED - DD certification training
DD certification training is required every two years. All training is provided online through prerecorded video presentations and live interactive webinars.
Participants must register for the two-day training before viewing the prerecorded video presentations. An attestation must be submitted stating that the prerecorded video presentations have been viewed.
Prior to viewing these presentations, DWC recommends participants download and complete the pre-course cases using the Guide to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 4th Edition, published by the American Medical Association (AMA Guides).
Prerecorded presentation videos (YouTube)
- Texas Workers' Compensation Designated Doctor Process Overview
🎥video | 📊slides | ✅attestation - Extent of Injury (EOI)
🎥video | 📊slides | 📃packet | ✅attestation - Return to Work and MDGuidelines
🎥video | 📊slides | 📃pre-course cases | ✅attestation - Maximum Medical Improvement and Official Disability Guidelines
🎥video | 📊slides | 📃pre-course cases | ✅attestation
CME credit is not offered for the required viewing of the prerecorded video presentations.
🕙 Agenda
Certification training day 1
- 📊Updated rule changes and basic concepts (required)
- Upper Extremity MMI and IR
📊slides | 📊grayscale slides | 📃pre-course cases | 🖼️figure 1 | 🖼️upper extremity ROM tables and figures - Spine MMI and IR
📊slides | 📊grayscale slides | 📃pre-course cases
Certification training day 2
- Lower Extremity MMI and IR
📊slides | 📊 grayscale slides | 📃pre-course cases - Non-Musculoskeletal MMI and IR
📊slides | 📊 grayscale slides | 📃pre-course cases
Doctors of Medicine (MD), Doctors of Osteopathy (DO), and Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) earn CME credits for webinar attendance.Post certification course evaluation forms
REQUIRED - DD certification training
DD certification training is required every two years. All training is provided online through prerecorded video presentations and live interactive webinars.
Participants must register for the two-day training before viewing the prerecorded video presentations. An attestation must be submitted stating that the prerecorded video presentations have been viewed.
Prior to viewing these presentations, DWC recommends participants download and complete the pre-course cases using the Guide to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 4th Edition, published by the American Medical Association (AMA Guides).
Prerecorded presentation videos (YouTube)
- Texas Workers' Compensation Designated Doctor Process Overview
🎥Video | 📊Slides | ✅attestation - Extent of Injury (EOI)
🎥Video | 📊Slides | 📃packet | ✅attestation - Return to Work and MDGuidelines
🎥Video | 📊Slides | 📃pre-course cases | ✅attestation - Maximum Medical Improvement and Official Disability Guidelines
🎥Video | 📊Slides | 📃pre-course cases | ✅attestation
CME credit is not offered for the required viewing of the prerecorded video presentations.
🕙 Agenda
Certification training day 1
- 📊Updated rule changes and basic concepts (required)
- Upper Extremity MMI and IR
📊slides | 📊grayscale slides | pre-course cases | 🖼️figure 1 | 🖼️upper extremity ROM tables and figures - Spine MMI and IR
📊slides | 📊grayscale slides | 📃pre-course cases
Certification training day 2
- Lower Extremity MMI and IR
📊slides | 📊grayscale slides | 📃pre-course cases - Non-Musculoskeletal MMI and IR
📊slides | 📊grayscale slides | 📃pre-course cases
Doctors of Medicine (MD), Doctors of Osteopathy (DO), and Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) earn CME credits for webinar attendance.
Post certification course evaluation forms
REQUIRED - Certifying doctor certification training
Certifying doctor training for doctors and other health care practitioners, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and non-licensed technicians who assist certifying doctors is required every two years.
Prior to attending the live interactive webinars, DWC recommends participants complete the pre-course cases using the AMA Guides.
Certification training day 1
- 📊Updated rule changes and basic concepts (required)
- Upper Extremity MMI and IR
📊slides | 📊grayscale slides | 📃pre-course cases | Figure 1 | upper Extremity ROM tables and figures - Spine MMI and IR
📊slides | 📊grayscale slides | 📃pre-course cases
Certification training day 2
- Lower Extremity MMI and IR
📊slides | 📊grayscale slides | 📃pre-course cases - Non-Musculoskeletal MMI and IR
📊slides | 📊grayscale slides | 📃pre-course cases
MDs, DOs, and DCs earn CME credits for webinar attendance.
Post certification course evaluation forms
OPTIONAL - DD extent of injury webinar
This live webinar provides a detailed introduction to the DD’s role in addressing the issue of extent of injury (EOI). Attendees will learn the step-by-step process and resources used in answering medical and legal questions regarding EOI. The webinar will include how to provide multiple certifications when appropriate and use of compliance forms as well as working through several case-based presentations per the applicable rules and statutes. MDs, DOs, and DCs earn CME credit for this training.
OPTIONAL - DD case-based webinars
This six-part webinar series focuses on understanding maximum medical improvement (MMI) and impairment rating (IR) concepts. MDs, DOs, and DCs earn CME credit.
- Module 1 - Maximum Medical Improvement 📊slides | 📃pre-course cases
- Module 2 - Spine MMI/IR and Extent of Injury 📊slides | 📃pre-course cases | 📃EOI packet
- Module 3 - Upper Extremity MMI/IR 📊slides | 📃pre-course cases | 🖼️figure 1 | 🖼️upper extremity ROM tables and figures
- Module 4 - Lower Extremity MMI/IR 📊slides | 📃pre-course cases
- Module 5 - Non-Musculoskeletal MMI/IR 📊slides | 📃pre-course cases
- Module 6 - Non – MSK MMI/IR - Central Nervous System, Mental and Behavioral 📊slides | 📃pre-course cases
- 📢Online DD case based evaluation form
OPTIONAL - DD musculoskeletal workshop
This is an interactive hands-on training for DDs and doctors certifying MMI and IR. Instructors will demonstrate common musculoskeletal procedures used for determining impairment that attendees may then perform and practice during the training.
- Driving and free parking instructions will be provided prior to the event.
- Dress in comfortable clothing suitable for performing exam procedures, both as the examiner and examinee.
- Come prepared to work case samples.
- It is recommended you bring your own copy of the AMA Guides.
- You may also want to bring your own relevant musculoskeletal examination equipment including inclinometers, goniometers, reflex hammers, etc.
This course does not fulfill any training or testing requirements for certification or recertification as a designated doctor.
- DD musculoskeletal workshop 📊slides
- 📢Online optional trainings evaluation form
Additional training resources
DD traumatic brain injury workshop
DWC has amended qualification requirements for DDs to examine traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Effective 6/5/23, additional board specialties will qualify doctors for these exams. See 28 TAC Section 127.130(b)(9)(B). This training will provide details on TBI diagnoses, and related additional testing that may be required.
- DD TBI 📊slides | 📃references
Self-study - extended 2015 presentations
For more information, contact: DesDoc_Education@tdi.texas.gov
