Functional Abilities Evaluation
A Functional Abilities Evaluation (FAE), or Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE), provides important and objective information about a claimant’s ability or inability to return to work or daily activities.
They are typically requested to guide a decision pertaining to an individual’s functional status. For example, an employer may request a Functional Abilities Evaluation to determine if an employee would benefit from role modifications as he or she recovers from an injury or illness.
It is important to objectively understand the restrictions that adversely affect an individual’s ability to return to work. By generating relevant information, Functional Capacity Evaluations can largely identify required rehabilitation methods and other actions needed to safely return the evaluee to gainful employment.
Conducted by medical professionals, a Functional Abilities Evaluation gauges the validity of a claimant’s condition by typically testing for:
- Effort
- Strength
- Muscular endurance
- Overall conditioning
- Sustained activity tolerances
- Repetitive working tolerances
It is imperative that examinees devote maximum effort to these tests, which includes co-operating with our assessors. This is because the evaluation aims to identify legitimate barriers, such as excessive pain or movement restriction, to proper functions.
Assessors conduct these evaluations while paying particular attention to claimants’ specific injuries and illnesses. This is a thorough process, and examinees can expect to be treated with respect and courtesy.
What Does a Functional Abilities Evaluation Report Include?
Our leading assessors use the results of a Functional Abilities Evaluation to create a detailed and unbiased report. It is largely an analysis of the examinee’s working capabilities, as well as information about restrictions to these capabilities.
All potential recommendations are clearly stated, explicitly addressing the concerns and questions of the referral source.
Contact us today to learn more about Functional Abilities Evaluations and our suite of IME services.
This assessment is available at the following AssessMed locations: