Functional Capacity Evaluation
(FCE)
Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is the evaluation of an
injured worker's functional and physical abilities as they
relate to work performance. It includes the use of objective
measurements of an injured worker's ability to perform the
physical demands of specified work tasks and is useful for:
- determining a worker's physical ability to perform work
- determining the potential ability to perform work after the
suitable duties program is completed
- guiding and adjusting the suitable duties program
- documenting changes after a suitable duties program has been
implemented.
One of the major decisions that must be made following injury is
deciding when a person is physically ready to return to work. The
FCE can be tailored to consider the specific tasks that are
essential to the job in question and to help the employer develop a
suitable duties program for the worker, in consultation with the
worker, the rehabilitation service provider, the employer's
rehabilitation and return to work coordinator and approved by the
treating doctor.
Approval for an FCE must be obtained from the treating doctor
and insurer before making a referral to a rehabilitation service
provider. The referral must clearly explain the specific purpose
of the evaluation request. FCE reports should contain
details about the worker's capacity for work, a summary of the
assessment process and findings, and clear recommendations for
ongoing management to achieve desired goals.
Workplace assessment
Workplace assessment includes a visit to the workplace by a
rehabilitation service provider to meet with the rehabilitation and
return to work coordinator, the worker and their supervisor to
identify suitable duties for the worker, investigate return to work
options and provide assistance to the employer. This may involve a
detailed assessment of the workplace and associated job tasks (task
analysis) to design an appropriate suitable
duties program.
It may also include advice regarding modification of either the
work station or equipment used by the worker, or the provision of
aids, appliances or other materials. This help for the worker
should be arranged as soon as possible after the injury.
The assessment also provides a good opportunity to give the
worker information and education about safe work practices (e.g.
manual handling, warm-up and stretching routines, posture) and
advice on work restrictions. A workplace assessment may also help
the provider design an individual, work-oriented conditioning
program. This program may then take place at either the workplace
using a graduated return to work process or off-site at a gym to
improve physical and functional capacities in readiness for return
to work.
Vocational assessment
Where it becomes apparent that an injured worker will not be
able to return to their pre-injury position, early intervention to
identify alternative employment is essential to minimise the social
and economic cost of injury.
Vocational assessment is used where an injury prevents a worker
from returning to their pre-injury position or other similar
position and where there is no realistic job goal. It is an
objective assessment by a rehabilitation service provider of the
worker's transferable work skills and aptitude to determine
appropriate employment goals.
A detailed physical/functional assessment may be required in
conjunction with the vocational assessment to identify an injured
worker's capacity for work.