L15: FCE's Flashcards
Why Functional Testing (4)?
- Function is objective / pain is subjective
- Provides a systematic process of measuring, recording and analysing an individual’s ability to perform activities defined by their work demands
- Functional testing is a useful adjunct to other forms of medical or physical assessment and provides a useful tool to measure and demonstrate changes that may have taken place over time that may not be as clearly evident using physical or medical testing.
- As Physiotherapists we
- THINK function
- OBSERVE function
- are the EXPERTS at function
- Treat functional impairments rather than pathology
- Function (objective) is a better outcome measure than pain (subjective)
Why Capacity (5)?
- Functional testing is a safe and effective way to determine capacity to perform and provides limits to safe maximums
- Provides capacity NOT willingness to perform
- Provides essential baseline data to begin a process
- Limits can be modified to adapt to situation
- Skill in using capacity is vital
What are 4 functional testing continuum?
- Functional Capacity Evaluation – detailed analysis which requires definitive outcome - post injury
- Functional Assessment – used in conjunction with other medical and physical testing or examinations to strengthen the overall assessment
- Functional Testing - used as a means to demonstrate and measure changes over time
- Functional Screening – used as a means to screen large numbers to determine if further testing or investigation is required – usually Pre Employment testing
What is the definition of FCE?
- An FCE is an evaluation of capacity of activities that is used to make recommendations for participation in work while considering the person’s body functions and structures, environmental factors, personal factors and health status
- A systematic process of measuring, recording and analysing an individual’s ability to perform activities in response to broadly defined work demands.
Why is an FCE conducted (5)?
- Return to Work (RTW)
- Can someone return to work – restricted or full
- Progression of duties
- Medico-legal
- Pre-employment and periodical testing
- Ongoing risk management
- Rehab planning
Used within a healthy business model, functional assessments have an essential role to play in injury management and prevention strategies
What are 7 considerations of Standardised v Non-Standardised FCE?
- Inter and intra - rater reliability
- Test -retest reliability
- Validity
- Equipment and measurements used
- Accuracy and consistency
- Cross referencing abilities
- Commercial considerations
What are 6 considerations of the FCE?
- Legal ramifications
- Financial implications
- Multiple stakeholders
- Varying jurisdictions
- Varying environments and testing conditions
- Defining purpose is all important - This is a MUST!
What are standarised FCE in different countries? (NOT EXAMINABLE)
What is WorkHab like for FCE?
What are 7 characteristics of Blankenship?
Used for the past 20 years as a standardized evaluation of the worker’s ability to perform a given scenario of physical tasks related to job tasks, including:
- Behavioural Profile
- Musculoskeletal evaluation – ROM
- Repetitive motion evaluation
- Static strength
- Occasional, frequent and constant material handling
- Hand evaluation
- Non-material handling
What are 2 characteristics of “2 x 5 min repetitive tests of Functional Assessment Screening Test” for F.A.S.T?
- Repetitive stooping of small bolts from floor to overhead at own speed
- Repetitive twisting at waist in standing from R-L, L-R
What are the 3 characteristics of the Reliability of FCEs?
The extent to which a test/measure is consistent and free from error
- Types: Test-retest; Intra-rater; Inter-rater reliability
- Few assessments have demonstrated levels of reliability sufficient for clinical (and legal) purposes
- No single assessment has been comprehensively investigated for all aspects of reliability
What are the 4 characteristics of the Validity of FCEs?
- Most work-related assessments have limited evidence of validity
- Of those that had adequate evidence, validity ranged from poor to good
- There was no instrument that demonstrated moderate to good validity in all areas
- “As the test situation simulates reality more closely, control becomes more difficult. . . the more closely one tries to simulate a real criterion situation, the less reliable will be one’s measurement of performance”
Do FCE’s Predict RTW (3)?
- Point in time assessment and not predictive of return to work outcomes
- FCEs will provide maximum ability or maximal acceptable ability
- Lots of things not just function predict overall outcome ie RTW
- Legal process (Eg. secondary claim (sueing employer))
- Claims status
- Pain beliefs, beliefs, motivation, understanding
- Psycho social factors (workplace support, ability to accommodate
- Organisations factors (workplace size)