An Analysis of Dangerous Sexual Offender Assessment Reports: Recommendations for Best Practice

In most Western societies sexual offenders are more reviled than almost any other type of offender. On both sides of the Atlantic this is reflected in the sanctions that specifically address this group such as Sexually Violent Predator laws in the United States, Dangerous and Long-Term Offender legislation in Canada, and Sex Offender Orders in the UK. Related approaches include the introduction of sex offender registries and the widespread requirement that children at risk from sexual predators be reported by professionals and others. Although prone to find reasons to delegate the assessment and management of sex offenders to specialized forensic services, the general psychiatrist will find it impossible to avoid them entirely. It is important, therefore, for the general psychiatrist to have some understanding of this area in order to make appropriate decisions and recommendations. This chapter looks at definitions of sexual offending, types of sexual offender, assessment of sex offenders, assessment of risk, treatment issues, and ethical issues.

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Adolescent Sex Offenders' Mean Profile on the Basc Self-Report of Personality

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.2003.92.3.883 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 92 (3) ◽

pp. 883-888 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

John E. Dalton ◽

Julie L. Ruddy ◽

Liza Simon-Roper

Keyword(s):

Sex Offenders ◽

Sexual Offender ◽

Assessment System ◽

Self Report ◽

Offender Treatment ◽

Test Interpretation ◽

Sexual Offender Treatment ◽

Blind Test ◽

Male Adolescents ◽

Offender Assessment

Batteries of psychological tests had been administered to male adolescents being evaluated for appropriateness of assignment to sexual offender treatment at private clinics. The test scores had been evaluated via blind test interpretation, as one component of a broader sexual offender assessment. Archival data were obtained from 106 patients who had been given the Behavior Assessment System for Children Self-report of Personality as part of a test battery. These adolescents, particularly the younger ones, responded defensively to this self-report. Otherwise, their mean scores were very close to those described in the manual for normal (nonclinical) adolescent males. Implications for test interpretation are discussed.

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Meeting the Best Practice for Hearing Aid Verification in Children: Challenges and Future Directions

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/2019_aja-18-0156 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 877-894

Author(s):

Nur Azyani Amri ◽

Tian Kar Quar ◽

Foong Yen Chong

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Hearing Aids ◽

Best Practice ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Future Directions ◽

Major Barrier ◽

Klang Valley ◽

Age Range ◽

Fitting Hearing Aids

Purpose This study examined the current pediatric amplification practice with an emphasis on hearing aid verification using probe microphone measurement (PMM), among audiologists in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Frequency of practice, access to PMM system, practiced protocols, barriers, and perception toward the benefits of PMM were identified through a survey. Method A questionnaire was distributed to and filled in by the audiologists who provided pediatric amplification service in Klang Valley, Malaysia. One hundred eight ( N = 108) audiologists, composed of 90.3% women and 9.7% men (age range: 23–48 years), participated in the survey. Results PMM was not a clinical routine practiced by a majority of the audiologists, despite its recognition as the best clinical practice that should be incorporated into protocols for fitting hearing aids in children. Variations in practice existed warranting further steps to improve the current practice for children with hearing impairment. The lack of access to PMM equipment was 1 major barrier for the audiologists to practice real-ear verification. Practitioners' characteristics such as time constraints, low confidence, and knowledge levels were also identified as barriers that impede the uptake of the evidence-based practice. Conclusions The implementation of PMM in clinical practice remains a challenge to the audiology profession. A knowledge-transfer approach that takes into consideration the barriers and involves effective collaboration or engagement between the knowledge providers and potential stakeholders is required to promote the clinical application of evidence-based best practice.

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A Guide to Coding and Billing for the Audiological Management of Patients Receiving Ototoxic Medical Treatments

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/2019_pers-sig8-2018-0028 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (5) ◽

pp. 936-946

Author(s):

Dawn Konrad-Martin ◽

Neela Swanson ◽

Angela Garinis

Keyword(s):

Otoacoustic Emissions ◽

Best Practice ◽

Private Insurance ◽

Monitoring Program ◽

Current Method ◽

International Classification Of Diseases ◽

Ethical Practice ◽

Party Payer ◽

High Frequency Audiometry ◽

Icd 10

Purpose Improved medical care leading to increased survivorship among patients with cancer and infectious diseases has created a need for ototoxicity monitoring programs nationwide. The goal of this report is to promote effective and standardized coding and 3rd-party payer billing practices for the audiological management of symptomatic ototoxicity. Method The approach was to compile the relevant International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10-CM) codes and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT; American Medical Association) codes and explain their use for obtaining reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. Results Each claim submitted to a payer for reimbursement of ototoxicity monitoring must include both ICD-10-CM codes to report the patient's diagnosis and CPT codes to report the services provided by the audiologist. Results address the general 3rd-party payer guidelines for ototoxicity monitoring and ICD-10-CM and CPT coding principles and provide illustrative examples. There is no “stand-alone” CPT code for high-frequency audiometry, an important test for ototoxicity monitoring. The current method of adding a –22 modifier to a standard audiometry code and then submitting a letter rationalizing why the test was done has inconsistent outcomes and is time intensive for the clinician. Similarly, some clinicians report difficulty getting reimbursed for detailed otoacoustic emissions testing in the context of ototoxicity monitoring. Conclusions Ethical practice, not reimbursement, must guide clinical practice. However, appropriate billing and coding resulting in 3rd-party reimbursement for audiology services rendered is critical for maintaining an effective ototoxicity monitoring program. Many 3rd-party payers reimburse for these services. For any CPT code, payment patterns vary widely within and across 3rd-party payers. Standardizing coding and billing practices as well as advocacy including letters from audiology national organizations may be necessary to help resolve these issues of coding and coverage in order to support best practice recommendations for ototoxicity monitoring.

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Business: The Electronic Health Record: Front Line Experience

Perspectives on Administration and Supervision ◽

10.1044/aas21.1.18 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 18-22

Author(s):

Rosemary Griffin

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Information Technology ◽

Electronic Health Record ◽

Financial Incentives ◽

Best Practice ◽

Health Care Systems ◽

The United States ◽

Health Record ◽

Health Trends ◽

Electronic Health

National legislation is in place to facilitate reform of the United States health care industry. The Health Care Information Technology and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) offers financial incentives to hospitals, physicians, and individual providers to establish an electronic health record that ultimately will link with the health information technology of other health care systems and providers. The information collected will facilitate patient safety, promote best practice, and track health trends such as smoking and childhood obesity.

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