Hear Vice President and Head of Global Medical, Dr Adela Osman discuss RGA’s research into resilience, and share her professional insights on the role of resilience in mental health, along with key considerations for claims assessors in evaluating its impact.
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Mental Health Claims Podcast Series
The lingering effects of the pandemic, increased loneliness, economic uncertainty, and the digital age’s effects on mental health have all contributed to a rise in mental health conditions globally. As a result, disability claims teams have experienced a rapid and sharp rise in mental health claims volumes. Insurers are focused on training their claims assessors to expertly handle these claims and collaborate with impacted customers and their care providers to achieve positive outcomes. This take10 podcast series will explore three biopsychosocial factors that can influence the management of mental health conditions: Resilience, Personality and Alcohol/substance use.
While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented in these podcasts, RGA, its related entities and associates and their respective officers, employees and agents, make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness or currency of the information contained in these podcasts, including information that has been provided by third parties. None of the information or opinions contained in these podcasts should be construed as constituting medical or other advice. Please note that this series was created to provide a global perspective which means that the information may not necessarily be applicable to certain insurance markets. Please ensure that you continue to adhere to the industry regulations and guidelines relevant to your specific market as well as your company’s internal business practices. Copyright © 2023 RGA Reinsurance Company. All Rights Reserved.
Mental Health Claims: Understanding the Role of Resilience
Episode 1:
Mental Health Claims: Understanding the Role of Personality
Meet Dr. Peter Farvolden, RGA's mental health expert who has extensive experience researching personality and its influence on mental health. In this discussion, we explore how a person’s unique personality traits play a pivotal role in the development of and recovery from their mental health condition.
Episode 2:
Mental Health Claims: The Impact of Alcohol and Substance Use
Substance use issues often arise alongside mental health conditions, complicating disability claims. To understand more about this challenging intersection, we spoke with RGA’s Dr. Georgiana Willwerth. During our interview, we explore the clinical and practical considerations around co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders, to provide guidance for claims assessors on how best to approach this complicated issue.
Episode 3:
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Dr. Adela Osman
MBBCh Vice President Head of Global Medical
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Dr. Adela Osman is Vice President, Head of Global Medical for RGA, responsible for thought and medical leadership, case consultation, product development, client support, and internal and external education. She also serves as co-editor of ReFlections, RGA’s global medical newsletter. As part of the executive team, Dr. Osman regularly engages with clients to support their business objectives. Prior to her current role, she was Chief Medical Research Officer for RGA South Africa. Dr. Osman graduated from the University of Witwatersrand in 2005 with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery. After completing her internship and community service, she worked as a Medical Officer in state hospitals before joining a private practice focusing on family health. After her years in practice, Dr. Osman moved to the insurance industry. Her areas of expertise include claims, medical marketing, underwriting, product development, and consulting with the legal department on medical issues. Dr. Osman has since completed specialized training in disability medicine and impairment with the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners (ABIME). She further expanded her studies with the ABIME by successfully completing medico-legal report writing and court testimony training, which equips her to act as an independent medical examiner and scientific expert witness. Dr. Osman is currently the chairperson of the Medical and Underwriting Standing Committee of the Association for Savings and Investments South Africa (ASISA), which is mandated to protect the right of the risk industry to underwrite, manage quality assurance of risk information, and draft best practice underwriting guidelines for the South African market.
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Mental Health Podcast Series
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Title: Mental Health Claims: Understanding the Role of Personality
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Learn more about RGA’s commitment to advancing mental health inclusion here.
Meet Dr. Peter Favolden, RGA's mental health expert who has extensive experience researching personality and its influence on mental health. In this discussion, we explore how a person’s unique personality traits play a pivotal role in the development of and recovery from their mental health condition.
Peter Farvolden
PhD, CPsych Mental Health Consultant
Dr. Peter Farvolden
As a member of RGA’s Global Medical team, Dr. Peter Farvolden collaborates with RGA’s teams around the world to provide clients with insights and strategies around mental health. Dr. Farvolden has worked for 25 years as a researcher, clinician and administrator in a wide variety of inpatient and outpatient settings across Canada, including the Hamilton Health Sciences Centre, The University Health Network, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital. Dr. Farvolden has held university appointments in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and the Departments of Psychology at the University of Waterloo and Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson University. In his research he has focused on basic processes in personality and psychopathology as well as the pharmacological and psychological treatment of mood and anxiety disorders. An early adopter of the internet as pathway for psychological treatment, Dr. Farvolden has spent 20 years designing, implementing, and evaluating digital mental health assessment and treatment programs with the goal of increasing access to evidence-based care. Dr. Farvolden is a member of the College of Psychologists of Ontario, the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, the Canadian Psychological Association, the Canadian Association of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and the Ontario Psychological Association. He holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, a B.Sc. in Psychology, and a B.A. in Philosophy, all from the University of Waterloo.
Substance use issues often arise alongside mental health conditions, complicating disability claims. To understand more about this challenging intersection, we spoke with RGA’s Dr. Georgiana Wilwerth. During our interview, we explore the clinical and practical considerations around co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders, to provide guidance for claims assessors on how best to approach this complicated issue.
Dr. Georgiana Willwerth-Pascutiu
Vice President and Medical Director Global Medical
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Vice President and Medical Director Global Medical RGA International Re
