Functional Capacity Evaluation

Question 1

Definition of terms- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

Answer 1

A federal law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. If you believe you’ve been discriminated against at work because you’re disabled and want information on your rights under the ADA, contact a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission office. For the EEOC office in your area, call 1-800-669-4000 or 1-800-669-6820 (TTY)

Question 2

Definition of terms: Apportionment:

Answer 2

A way of figuring out how much of your permanent disability is due to your work injury and how much is due to other disabilities.

Question 3

Definition of terms- Claims administrator:

Answer 3

The term for insurance companies and others that handle your workers’ compensation claim. Most claims administrators work for insurance companies or third party administrators handling claims for employers. Some claims administrators work directly for large employers that handle their own claims. Also called claims examiner or claims adjuster.

Question 4

Definition of terms- Cumulative injury (CT):

Answer 4

An injury that was caused by repeated events or repeated exposures at work. For example, hurting your wrist doing the same motion over and over or losing your hearing because of constant loud noise.

Question 5

Definition of terms- Date of injury:

Answer 5

When you got hurt or ill. If your injury was caused by one event, the date it happened is the date of injury. If the injury or illness was caused by repeated exposures (a cumulative injury), the date of injury is the date you knew or should have known the injury was caused by work.

Question 6

Definition of Terms- Disability:

Answer 6

A physical or mental impairment that limits your life activities. A condition that makes engaging in physical, social and work activities difficult.

Question 7

Definition of Terms-Disability management:

Answer 7

A process to prevent disability from occurring or to intervene early, following the start of a disability, to encourage and support continued employment. This is done early in the recovery process in severe injury cases such as spinal injuries. Usually a rehabilitation nurse is involved with you and your treating doctor and the progress of your medical treatment is reported to the insurance company.

Question 8

Definition of Terms- Ergonomics:

Answer 8

The study of how to improve the fit between the physical demands of the workplace and the employees who perform the work. That means considering the variability in human capabilities when selecting, designing or modifying equipment, tools, work tasks and the work environment.

Question 9

Definition of Terms- Essential functions:

Answer 9

Duties considered crucial to the job you want or have. When being considered for alternative work, you must have both the physical and mental qualifications to fulfill the job’s essential functions.

Question 10

Definition of Terms- Future medical:

Answer 10

On-going right to medical treatment for a work-related injury.

Question 11

Definition of Terms- Independent medical examiner (IME):

Answer 11

For injuries occurring on and after January 1, 1991, whenever the term “independent medical examiner” is used, the term shall mean “qualified medical examiner.”

Question 12

Definition of Terms- Impairment rating:

Answer 12

A percentage estimate of how much normal use of your injured body parts you’ve lost. Impairment ratings are determined based on guidelines published by the American Medical Association (AMA). An impairment rating is used to calculate your permanent disability rating but is different from your permanent disability rating.

Question 13

Definition of Terms- Maximal medical improvement (MMI):

Answer 13

Your condition is well stabilized and unlikely to change substantially in the next year, with or without medical treatment. Once you reach MMI, a doctor can assess how much, if any, permanent disability resulted from your work injury.

Question 14

Definition of terms- Modified work:

Answer 14

Your old job, with some changes that allow you do to it. If your doctor says you will not be able to return to your job at the time of injury, your employer is encouraged to offer you modified work instead of supplemental job displacement benefits or vocational rehabilitation benefits.

Question 15

Definition of terms- Permanent disability (PD):

Answer 15

Any lasting disability that results in a reduced earning capacity after maximum medical improvement is reached.

Question 16

Definition of terms- Permanent disability rating (PDR):

Answer 16

A percentage that estimates how much a job injury permanently limits the kinds of work you can do. It is based on your medical condition, date of injury, age when injured, occupation when injured, how much of the disability is caused by your

Question 17

Definition of terms- Permanent disability rating schedule (PDRS):

Answer 17

A DWC publication containing detailed information used to rate permanent disabilities. One of three schedules will be used to rate your disability, depending on when you were injured.

Question 18

Definition of term- Permanent disability (PD) benefits:

Answer 18

Payments you receive when your work injury permanently limits the kinds of work you can do or your ability to earn a living.

Question 19

Definition of terms- Permanent disability advance (PDA):

Answer 19

A voluntary lump sum payment of permanent disability you are due in the future.

Question 20

Definition of term- Qualified medical evaluator (QME):

Answer 20

An independent physician certified by the DWC Medical Unit to perform medical evaluations.

Question 21

Definition of terms- Qualified rehabilitation representative (QRR):

Answer 21

A person trained and able to evaluate, counsel, and place disabled workers in new jobs. Also called rehabilitation counselor.

Question 22

Definition of terms- Permanent disability payments:

Answer 22

A mandatory bi-weekly payment based on the undisputed portion of permanent disability received before and/or after an award is issued.

Question 23

Definition of terms- Permanent partial disability award:

Answer 23

A final award of permanent partial disability made by a workers’ compensation judge or the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.

Question 24

Definition of terms: Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits:

Answer 24

Payments you receive when your work injury partially limits the kinds of work you can do or your ability to earn a living.

Question 25

Definition of terms: Work restrictions:

Answer 25

A doctor’s description of the work you can and cannot do. Work restrictions help protect you from further injury.

Question 26

What is Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)?

Answer 26

A series of tests measuring:

• Physical strength,
• '’Range of motion’’,
• Stamina, and
• Tolerance to functional activities, including lifting and carrying.

These tests can be used to evaluate work tolerance, and the necessity for work restrictions.

Question 27

Related terms for FCE include:

(3)

Answer 27

• '’Physical Capacities Evaluation’’ (‘‘PCE’’) or
• Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) or
• Work Capacity Evaluation.

Question 28

An evaluator skilled in Functional Capacity Evaluation will use a battery of standardized tests, designed around key factors that include:

(5)

Answer 28

• Dagnosis,
• Impairment,
• Pain and functional limitation,
• Referral questions, and,
• In some instances, the case resolution goal.

Question 29

What is the value of FCE to the injured individual

Answer 29

• It’s focus is on functional ability instead of the pain limitation associated with an impairment.
• It considers speed, flexibility, endurance, skill and strength through the use of functional testing, MTM, and standardized measurements to assess job-fit status. .

Question 30

Functional Capacity Evaluation is useful as a:

(2)

Answer 30

• Clinical tool,
• Baseline for industry-standard results that clearly define an individual’s transition from injury to employment, and from disability to deployment

Question 31

Who uses Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) and why?

(3)

Answer 31

• Physicians,
• Case managers, and
• Employers

To transition injured workers from disability to function and employment.

Question 32

FCE is the single most reliable measure to determine if a successful return-to-work is possible. True or False?

Answer 32

True- it is inherently a thorough and accurate evaluation process that documents an individual’s:

• Residual physical abilities,
• Level of effort expended during testing,
• Reliability of reports of pain and limitation,

and it is an overall gauge of feasibility for employment.

Question 33

How is the the results of Functional Capacity Evaluation used in a vocational rehabilitation setting

Answer 33

Typically used to develop return-to-work plans, as the basis of an offer of alternative employment, or as the foundation for a feasibility development plan (work-focused rehabilitation); results are a sound framework for developing a Temporary Alternative Duty plan.

Question 34

How are the results of the Functional Capacity Evaluation used in a military setting? (3)

Answer 34

• Used to evaluate progress as the injured soldier transitions back to the force in the usual and customary military occupational specialty (MOS) or
• To measure the physical ability to reintegrate into a new specialty.
• It can also be used in preparation for a medical evaluation board or in transition from active duty into Veterans Administration services.

Question 35

Functional Capacity Evaluation provides an important bridge from the impairment phase of medical evaluation to the disability recovery phase. True or False?

Answer 35

True- While FCE provides documentation of impairment, it is best suited to the evaluation and amelioration of disability. Providing a means for a shift from the disability to vocational feasibility construct is an attainable goal with the use of FCE.

Question 36

What are the goals of a work rehabilitation program? (3)

Answer 36

• Return patient to work
• Increase tolerance
• Prevent chronicity

Question 37

What should PT treatment entail for these patients?

Answer 37

The treatment should emphasize restoration of work-related function and reconditioning