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In this episode, Yvonne and Rafael talk to Dr. Marcos Iglesias, Chief Medical Officer at AF Group. Dr. Iglesias shares his journey from occupational medicine to the executive level and the lessons he’s learned about helping injured workers recover faster and more fully. Drawing on decades of experience, Dr. Iglesias offers candid, practical advice for younger clinicians entering the workers’ compensation space, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond symptoms to understand why a patient isn’t improving.

He explains how focusing on what an injured worker truly needs to feel supported can reduce frustration for clinicians, improve communication with claims and employer teams, and create better outcomes for all parties. From breaking down barriers to recovery to fostering stronger provider relationships, Dr. Iglesias underscores that when clinicians approach care with curiosity, empathy, and collaboration, everybody wins.

Listeners will leave with actionable insights into how new medical professionals can navigate the complexities of workers’ comp, make a meaningful impact on injured workers’ lives, and help shape a system that works better for everyone.

Key Terms and Definitions in this episode:

Biopsychosocial Model of Care – A holistic approach to healthcare that addresses the biological, psychological, and social factors influencing an injured worker’s recovery, promoting comprehensive and individualized treatment plans.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) – Senior medical leader responsible for developing and overseeing clinical strategies, ensuring medical best practices, and aligning care delivery with business goals.

Claims Operations – The department or function responsible for managing claims from the first report of injury through closure, including investigation, evaluation, and settlement.

Early Intervention – Identifying and addressing potential issues in a claim as soon as possible to prevent delays in recovery and reduce claim duration and costs.

Employer Engagement – Active participation of the employer in the claims process, including communication with the injured worker, accommodations for return-to-work, and collaboration with claims teams.

Evidence-Based Care – Medical treatment decisions based on the best available research, clinical expertise, and patient-specific factors to ensure optimal outcomes.

Occupational Medicine – A branch of medicine focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of work-related injuries and illnesses.

Provider Network – A group of medical professionals and facilities contracted to deliver care to injured workers under negotiated terms.

Psychosocial Barriers – Non-medical factors—such as mental health concerns, fear, social isolation, workplace relationships, or financial stress—that can delay or prevent recovery.

And here are a few references to things Dr. Iglesias mentioned during our discussion:

On Ambient Scribe Technology

Open Evidence (chatGPT for medical professionals)

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