The AMA established the AMA Guides Editorial Panel as a multidisciplinary body to oversee stakeholder-driven updates to the AMA Guides. The Panel was tasked with evaluating content change proposals based on established acceptance criteria and considering developments in medical science and areas where additional guidance could be beneficial.
The AMA solicited nominations from more than 200 organizations throughout the medical community. From the nominees, an AMA-appointed selection committee, including AMA senior management and physician leaders, selected co-chairs. The co-chairs then completed selection of the Panel based upon broad guidance from the AMA that the Panel includes the broad medical expertise necessary to reflect the scope of the AMA Guides, as well as diversity that reflects the physician and patient populations served by the AMA Guides.
The 13 member AMA Guides Editorial Panel was comprised of 11 physicians and two non-physician healthcare providers, with expertise across and range of specialties, including neurology, nursing, occupational medicine, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pain medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, physical therapy, preventive medicine and psychiatry.
The Panel also included advisors who provided perspectives from the broader regulatory and legal stakeholder community who utilize the AMA Guides.
Role of the Editorial Panel
The Editorial Panel's work included:
- Drawing on the AMA's collaborative capabilities to incorporate perspectives from across the healthcare community.
- Bringing together diverse expertise in medical care and impairment evaluation reflecting the communities served by the AMA Guides.
- Considering potential enhancements to the AMA Guides based on evidence-based and consensus-based medical science.
- Supporting the goal of equitable and consistent impairment evaluations and practical guidance for physicians conducting evaluations.
Commitment to transparency
During its tenure, the Editorial Panel established a transparent process for considering potential changes to the AMA Guides, including:
- Considering developments in medical science and areas where additional guidance could be beneficial.
- Applying established criteria to the review of proposed content changes.
- Identifying editorial priorities based on areas where additional guidance was most needed.
- Providing opportunities for stakeholder input through public comment.
- Conducting open meetings to support transparency in the editorial process.
Changes to the AMA Guides® Editorial Panel work
The AMA has transitioned from active content development to a model focused on sustained support and accessibility of the existing AMA Guides content. After the release of the AMA Guides Sixth 2025, the active AMA Guides Editorial Panel work concluded with updates which include:
AMA Guides Sixth 2025
- Chapter 5: The Pulmonary System
- Chapter 11: Ear, Nose, Throat and Related Structures
AMA Guides Sixth 2024
- Chapter 15: Upper Limb
- Chapter 16: Lower Limb
- Chapter 17: Spine and Pelvis
AMA Guides Sixth 2023
- Chapter 13: The Nervous System
- Chapter 11: Ear, Nose, Throat, and Related Structures
AMA Guides Sixth 2022
- Chapter 2: Practical Application of the AMA Guides
AMA Guides Sixth 2021
- Chapter 14: Mental and Behavioral Disorders
AMA Guides will prioritize long-term initiatives such as:
- Enhancing support resources, including addition of descriptive clinical vignettes
- Clearly noting chapter update timelines for transparency
- Streamlining access to ensure continued relevance and usability
The AMA expresses its gratitude to our AMA Guides Editorial Panel members for their expertise and dedication in shaping the AMA Guides content for the benefit of the entire field.
AMA Guides® Panel meetings
There are no scheduled meetings at this time.
More information on the AMA Guides
- AMA Guides Sixth 2025
- Visit the overview page to get details about the initiative to modernize the Guides
- AMA Guides Editorial Panel members
