Functional capacity tests should replicate working conditions as closely as possible

Claims professionals should be aware of the limitations of Functional Capacity Examinations (FCEs), the protocols of which aren’t necessarily conclusive in determining whether or not people with physical injuries will be able to return to work.
Elizabeth Chapman, a kinesiologist who performs medical assessments for insurers, made the observation during a Webinar designed for claims managers. The Webinar addressed the use of FCEs in making decisions regarding a person’s claim.
“Some of the protocols [for testing the physical capabilities of people who are injured] don’t match the nature of the work to be performed,” said Chapman, business development manager at BTE Technologies Inc.
She noted standard protocols for determining grip strength of a person’s hand might be more appropriate for some forms of institutional work than others. The hand grip strength required of an office worker, for example, would be different than that required for an auto assembly plant worker, whose hand grip will be used in various different positions that the standard protocol may not catch.
“Functional tests should try to replicate the nature of the work as closely as possible in terms of repetition, time and physical performance factors,” Chapman said. “And most don’t.”
Chapman cautioned that when designing protocols to test a person’s readiness to return to work, claims professionals should keep in mind what people specifically do in their occupations. She suggested trying to get a copy of the job description from an employer as one means to prepare a proper test protocol.
“If they need to be lifting sporadically throughout their shift, they should set the FCE up that way, that’s great,” said Chapman. “If they do all of their lifting at once, then you want to try and simulate that as well.”