Expert medical assessment in the tension of social conflict - historical and current aspects
In many cases expert medical assessment is a prerequisite for the granting of welfare benefits or compensation. The insurance benefits are provided by the community in order to Benefit the individual. Thus medical experts are caught in the conflict between individual and social objectives and expectations. The purpose of the protection or insurance is to be achieved without triggering undesirable consequences or deadweight effects.
The article sheds light on the historical extremes between mistrust and naivety in the assessment. Medical experts should be aware of the tensions in their work and strive for an objective, unprejudiced and transparent assessment. Neutrality must not be equated to emotional coldness. Interest in the fate of the person affected and empathy when dealing with the test subjects improves acceptance of the expert opinion. If the test subject feels understood and taken seriously in the assessment, they are more likely to accept the outcome - even if it may not meet their expectations. The acceptance of an expert Report makes it easier for the client, whether a court, an insurer or an administrative authority, to resolve the conflict underlying the assessment.
