Affiliations: The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, NSW,
Australia | Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Adele Cotton, Royal Prince Alfred
Hospital, Physiotherapy Department, RPA Campus, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW
2050. Australia. Tel.: +61 2 9525 9600; Fax: +61 2 9515 9611; E-mail:
adelecotton@hotmail.com
Abstract: Returning the disabled worker to maximum productivity is a shared
responsibility between the treating health practitioners and employers, with
the insurer as an overseer of the injury management plan. Allied health
professionals have responded to the need for standardized tools to assess work
capacity by developing Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs). Literature
exists outlining the limitations of FCEs in injury management systems; however,
little is known about their uses and perceived usefulness. Questionnaires were posted to managers and therapists of accredited
rehabilitation providers. The questionnaires consisted of both open and closed
format questions. The response rate for the managers' questionnaire was 53%,
while the therapists' questionnaire was 27%. The majority of rehabilitation providers use an assessment of their
Own Design. Eight commercial FCEs were identified as being used. The majority
of therapists use only one type of FCE. Therapists rated FCEs highly on their
flexibility with Own Design assessment rated as significantly more flexible
than the most frequently used commercial FCEs. From the data collected, it appears that cost is the main factor
influencing choice of assessment. Level of evidence supporting capabilities of
particular assessments does not appear to influence use. It seems that, despite
there being poor research evidence to support the use of many brands of FCEs,
they are still commonly used by rehabilitation providers. To achieve optimal
use of FCEs, further research is required on the types of adaptations
therapists make to commercial assessments and properties of Own Design
assessments, including reliability and validity studies.
