Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)

Functional Capacity Evaluation

An FCE can be used to determine fitness to work following an extended period of medical leave. If an employee is unable to return to work, the FCE provides information on prognosis and occupational rehabilitation measures that may be possible. An FCE can also be used to help identify changes to employee workload, or modifications to working conditions such as ergonomic measures, that the employer may be able to undertake in an effort to accommodate an employee with a disability or medical condition. FCEs are needed to determine if an employee is able to resume working in a capacity "commensurate with his or her skills or abilities"] before the disability or medical condition was diagnosed. An FCE involves assessments made by one or more rehab doctors or medical doctors.

Many Studies have been undertaken to assess the accuracy of FCEs in predicting the long-term outcomes for patients, both in terms of returning to work, and in probability of permanent disability.

FCEs may be required by law for some employers before an employee can return to work, as well as by insurers before insurance payments can be made. FCEs are also used to determine eligibility for disability insurance, or pension eligibility in the event that an employee is permanently unable to return to work.

PT Hawaii utilizes the state-of-the-art Occupro system and software:

• Which recognize/identify the latest evidence-based research on a kinesiophysical FCE approach
• explains and applies safe occasional, frequent, and/or constant abilities
• demonstrates an ability to perform reliable, and defensible FCEs
• organizes and extrapolates data to an eight-hour day
• identifies common consistency of effort and reliability of pain methods
• participates in legal discussions that will back up your FCE results in a court of law

Functional Capacity Evaluation Performance consists of:

• Intake process
• Job analysis, job descriptions, DOT, to gather the jobs physical demands
• Consistency of effort/reliability of pain ratings
• Sitting and standing
• Musculoskeletal testing
• Upper extremity testing/coordination
• Non-material handling, occasional material handling, and frequent material handling
• Job simulation tasks
• Work conditioning recommendation if necessary