Table 2

Beliefs Regarding Dual Agency in SSA Disability Evaluations

Survey ItemAPAAAPLMann-Whitney
nMeanSDnMeanSDzp
The dual roles of acting as a treating clinician and independent examiner negatively affect the disability determination process.622.52.90301.93.91−2.86.004
An independent psychiatric examiner can render a more objective opinion than a treating clinician with regard to disability assessments.652.32.85322.091.03−1.34.181
Disability evaluations performed by treating physicians affect the physician-patient relationship.642.02.79321.62.66−2.33.02
  • Lower mean indicates greater level of agreement. (1, strongly agree; 2, somewhat agree; 3, somewhat disagree; 4, strongly disagree)