Functional Ability Evaluations

A functional ability evaluation, (FAE), also known as a functional capacity evaluatoin, (FCE), is a systematic process of measuring an individuals ability to perform a variety pre determined work demands.  A standard functional ability evaluation consists of quantifying an evaluee's ability to stand, sit, walk, reach and a careful investigation of the evaluee's ability to lift from the floor, waist and shoulders.  The goal of the functional ability evalution is to objectively and fairly identify what an evaluee is capable of doing.  This type of evaluation requires maximum effort to be provided by the evaluee.  During the FAE, there are numerous consistency and reliability measures that are being recorded without the evaluees knowledge.  These consistency measures are used to confirm that the insured did provide maximum effort and that the test is a reliable measure of the evaluee's maximum physical abilities.  

Personal Injury Lawyers

Personal Injury Lawyers may use a functional ability evaluation to identify what impairments or limitations their client continues to have following an injury.  Since the functional ability evaluation is a fair and objective evaluation procedure; this type of test is very powerful in court. 

The typical senario for a personal injury lawyer consist of a number of doctors evaluating their client and reporting different conclusions.  This can be frustrating and confusing for everyone involved.  In this particular case, an unbiased, fair and objective evaluation such as a functional ability evaluation; will identify whether or not the evaluee continues to have an accident related impairment and to what degree this impairment will affect the evaluee's activities of daily living. 

Insurance Companies

Insurance companies often use a functional ability evaluation to determine whether or not an insured individual is physically capable of returning to their pre accident employment, housekeeping, home maintenance, caregiving and general activities of daily living.  This type of evaluation can also be used to monitor and chart an individuals level of progress following therapy.  Two Functional Ability Evaluations performed 3-6 months apart can easily identify whether or not an insured individual is getter better, staying the same or getting worse.  What's more, this type of evaluation will quantify the level of change and identify the areas of the body that have changed or not changed. This type of informaiotn is useful when determining whether or not an individual can return to work safely, and whether or not an individual has been benefiting from their physical rehabilitation.

Physiotherapist/Chiropractors

Physiotherpists and Chiropractors that are treating patients that were involved in a motor vehicle accident, should use functional ability evluations at various stages of recovery. 

Firstly, this evaluation should be performed immediately after the accident in order to establish the insured's baseline.  This baseline funcitonal abilities evaluation will determine whether or not the insured can return to work safely and it will help to identify the areas of the body that require attention during the intial phase of rehabilitation.

Secondly, a functional abilities evaluatoin may be performed 3-6 months post accident in order to quantify the level of improvement with therapy and to identify any other functional limitations that can be addressed during facility based rehabilitation.

Finally, a functional ability evaluation can be used any time a patient obtains new employment or reports that their injuries are being exacerbated with their current employment.  Toward this end, a functional ability evaluation will identify specific job demands that are hazardess to the insured and allow for the clinician to develop compensation stratagies.

Employers

Employers may use a functional ability evaluation to determine the suitabity of employment of any individual.  This type of testing procedure can be used prior to hiring an individual in order to best place this individual within your company.  A functional ability evaluation is extremely useful in identying potential workplace repetitive strain injuries and avoiding them.  This type of test is also useful to employers whom employ individuals beyond 65 years of age.  This senioiur population is particularly vulnerable to injury.  Although, many seniors elect to retire at 65, some wish to continue their employment.  A functional ability evaluatoin on this population will identify which individuals over the age of 65 can continue to work effectively and which can not. 

What Makes Our Reports Unique?

Once BodyFrame completes a functional ability evaluation we will provide you with a detailed 30-45 page report within 3 days.  This report consists of a 5-10 page summary of findings.  It is the summary of finding section of our reports that are so unique.  Within this section we provide you with the conclusions of the evaluation writtin plain easy to read english.  We explain what tests were performed and whether or not the insured provided a resonable level of effort during each test. We explain what is expected, and what was provided.  In one table, you will be able to identify what category of employemnt the evaluee can safely perform within; and what limitations he/she may have. 

Another special feature of our functional ability evaluatoin reports; involves our detailed history section.  Each report will consist of a detailed review of the insured's prior motor vehicle accidents, workplace accidents, any other significant truama's, medical conditions, prior hospitalizations and employment history.  BodyFrame Functional Ability Evaluations leave no stone unturned.