Study Guide: FCE Flashcards
What is an FCE?
- objective test
- measures ability to perform meaningful/functional tasks on a safe and dependable basis
Why would one use an FCE?
- gain employment
- provide objective measures of functional capacity
- help PT determine psychosocial problems
- provide goals for RTW status
- develop a tx plan
Are FCEs reliable and valid?
not great reliability because
- there is no gold standard
- there are so many of them
What is the best predictor of RTW?
- time off work
- the longer you are out of work, the less likely you are to return
FCE not as good of a predictor
FCE is more of a _____ test than a predictive one
behavioral
Why are we not able to predict disability better?
- disconnect between individual impairments and societal factors
- disability is a highly complex concept
What is the role of FCEs in disability
FCEs are just part of the process of judging level of disability
What are the components of an FCE?
- intake info and record review
- client questionnaire/informed consent
- client interview
- physical exam and referral questions
- functional performance measurements
- observation of pt
- eval of hx, records, and test results
- comparison of pt’s safe work abilities with job demands
general guidelines for work rehab
- collaborate with other professionals for best outcomes
- pt education is critical
- include psychosocial factors with rehab
- rehab should be individualized
advantages of an FCE
- provides objective measures for functional capacity
- multiple physical aspects for RTW
- can be tailored to mimic requirements of multiple jobs
limitations of an FCE
- takes anywhere from 1-8 hours
- only one aspect of disability
- days out of work is likely a better predictor
- cause worker’s comp claims to end
Contraindications to an FCE
- medical instability
- pt must be able to communicate with evaluator
- pt must be able to understand instructions and communicate concerns with evaluator
pt eligibility for RTW
- be medically stable
- have stated/demonstrated willingness to participate
- have physical/functional deficits interfering with work
- have tx goals that include RTW
- have completed functional eval to id limitations
Work conditioning addresses:
- physical and functional needs
Work conditioning provided by:
- single discipline
- PT only
Work conditioning utilizes
- physical conditioning
- functional activities
Work conditioning: provided in (sessions)
multi-hour sessions up to
- 4 hrs/day
- 5 days/week
- 8 weeks
Work hardening: addresses
- physical
- functional
- behavioral
- vocational
Work hardening: provided by
multidisciplinary
- PT
- OT
- psychologist
- vocational specialist
Work hardening: utilizes
simulated work activities
Work hardening: provided in (sessions)
multi-hour sessions up to
- 8 hrs/day
- 5 days/week
- 8 weeks
What is covered in worker’s comp?
- any injury during working hours that doesn’t involve misconduct or drugs/alcohol
- all medical, rehab, medication, and travel/incurred expenses
What does worker’s comp pay?
usu 2/3 wage will be paid until you return to work or the max benefits have been reached
categories of disability
- total disability
- temporary partial disability
- permanent partial disability
total disability
- inability to return to work (think SCI)
- most compensation
temporary partial disability
- only partially disabled and temporary (think broken bone)
- least compensation
permanent partial disability
- partially disabled and is permanent (think amputation)
- middle compensation
What is an impairment?
- alteration of an individual’s health status
- has been assessed by medical means
What is a disability?
- describes the relationship between impairment and
- an individual’s inability to complete a task or duty
What aspects impact disability?
- biological
- behavioral
- environmental
and relationship with health, wellbeing and functioning in society
disability encompasses these factors
- vocational
- educational
- psychosocial
- financial
Why is an FCE the best test?
because disability involves so many factors
After being disabled, what can the individual do?
- go separate ways from employer after settlement reached
- RTW in same position or another one
- return to workforce with a different company if qualified
