Functional Capacity Evaluations

Family Physiotherapy Centre of London has teamed up with WorkWell System's (WS) to provide a comprehensive Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE). This is a physical test that measures an injured worker's abilities. In the WS FCE, workers perform various activities that simulate on-the-job work. Those activities can then be matched to the specific tasks of a certain job. The WS FCE combines the highest level of safety with objective findings and, when necessary, significantly aids in developing an effective return-to-work program for injured workers.

WorkWell Systems distinguished international research team comprised of clinicians and researchers has led to the most evidence-based FCE on the market today - The WorkWell Systems FCE V.2.

WorkWell's FCE Re-Design Task Force, formed in September 2004, was charged with creating the highest quality FCE on the market. The Task Force systematically reviewed the IWS FCE item by item, looking at current research, evidence and clinical rationale. FCE V.2 was not developed in isolation. FCE V.2 was developed with input from WorkWell's Faculty Members, research Consultants, and Providers.

The Advantages are Clear:

• Integrated consistency checks and enhanced qualitative observational criteria for each FCE activity
• Rigorous for Medical Legal FCEs; Comprehensive for Disability FCEs
• Easier to use with flexible formats
• Advanced report generation using a document based process

"Unlike most other FCEs, the WorkWell FCE is based on a research-supported approach that provides scientifically sound, legally defensible solutions to problems concerning return-to-work questions," stated Dennis Hart, PT, PhD, Hart Ergonomic Consulting, White Stone, Virginia.

Our Functional Capacity Evaluation:

• Is the only FCE with proven outcome studies published in peer-reviewed journals
• Compares a worker's abilities with required job demands
• Is a comprehensive, two-day evaluation that accurately and reliably determines the worker's ability to work over time
• Tests for maximum strength without fear of injury
• Focuses on abilities rather than limitations
• Produces a clear summary report understood by all parties
• Able to have patients evaluated within 2 weeks of receiving the referral. In Emergency situations this can be shortened as we reserve 1 block per week for emergencies

We offer a 1 day or 2 day Functional Capacity Evaluation:

A 1 day evaluation would be recommended when you want a:

• General FCE
• Diagnostic specific or "body area" specific test
• Baseline or progress test for therapy/work rehabilitation
• General vocational test

A 2 day evaluation would be recommended when you have the following situation:

• Medical-Legal report
• Disability evaluation
• Nerve Root irritation
• Disease Process (such as MS/RA)
• Extensive or complicated medical history
• Question or history of self limited or inconsistent activity
• Identify or confirm expected changes in capacity/performance over consecutive days associated with fatigue, endurance, symptoms or worker confidence
• "Full battery" vocational testing

We offer several types of Functional Capacity Evaluations:

• Core Workwell FCE
• Hand FCE
• Upper Extremity FCE
• Lower Extremity FCE
• Low Back FCE
• Disability FCE
• Job Specific Testing
• Fit for Duty Evaluation

If you are looking to book an FCE or would like some more information, please feel free to email us at FCE@FPClondon.com.