Workers' Compensation - Donley Center Functional Capacity Evaluations, Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training

Workers' Compensatin, RI Department of Labor and Training

How Do I... Programs Injured Worker Employer Insurer/Adjuster Independent Contractor Forms FAQs

Susan Rand Celico, PT

Some injured workers are referred to the Donley Center for a special test called a Functional Capacity Evaluation or FCE for short.

What is an FCE and why do we do this type of testing? FCE's are a very common form of specialized physical testing performed to help a doctor determine a patient's physical capabilities, the best course of treatment and most importantly, the ability to return to work (RTW).

Who performs the FCE? An FCE is performed by a registered Physical or Occupational Therapist with special training and expertise.

The FCE evaluation is several hours long and consists of 4 parts.

Part I is an interview. The injured worker will first meet with a Registered Nurse to determine if there are any medical reasons not to perform the test, such as high blood pressure or lung problems. Next, the patient is assigned to one of our staff Physical Therapists (PT). The therapist will want to get a full understanding of the patient's own perception of the injury, his or her recovery and ability to Return to Work (RTW). Often, the employer has provided a job description and we can use this to construct the testing. As with all of our services, the Donley Center provides professional interpreters for non-English-speaking clients.

Part II is clinical evaluation. This is when the Physical Therapist measures the patient's strength, flexibility and sensation. He or she will also try to define and qualify pain behavior and exact physical difficulties or limitations.

Part III is the actual functional evaluation when the patient will be asked to perform a variety of physical movements and tasks such as walking, bending, and carrying loads. The test activities vary for each patient and are based upon individual diagnosis and information from the physician and the employer. The Therapist takes care to introduce all of the activities very gradually while monitoring the patient closely for any signs of complications.

Part IV is the most important part. The Therapist will review the findings of the test with the patient and discuss recommendations for the future. What happens to the test results? A full report is sent to the referring doctor describing the test components and results. Patients are asked to perform to the best of their ability. Every patient has the right to refuse to continue any test procedure at any time. However, if appropriate and safe, the Therapist may ask the patient to continue despite minor pain. It is only during this period that we can accurately assess the degree of functional ability or disability. It is important that a patient commit to performing to their maximum capability in order for the test to be considered valid. The Physical Therapist uses a number of signs, such as heart rate, and posture response to determine if the patient has put forth their best effort.

Functional Capacity Evaluation testing is a valuable tool to assess a patient's recovery, determine treatment goals and assist in returning injured workers back to gainful employment.

If you have any questions about the FCE, call the Donley Center at (401) 243-1200.

WC Home \| Publications \| Laws & Rules \| Contact Us \| Directions \| DLT Home

To comment on this site, please contact the WC web staff at (401) 462-8023 or WCWebmaster@dlt.ri.gov
		Dr. John E. Donley Rehabilitation Center Division of Workers' Compensation Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training 249 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI 02906 Phone (401) 243-1200, Fax (401) 222-3887

updated: June 9, 2009