Umm Muhammed Umar

A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) assesses an individual’s capacity to perform work activities related to his or her participation in different roles and in employment. The FCE process compares the individual’s health status and body functions and structures to the demands of the job and work environment. In essence the primary purpose of the FCE is to evaluate a person’s ability to participate in work. Occupational therapist, Ruqaya Ibrahim, says that the capacity evaluation takes place when the individual is no longer able to work, or experiences difficulty completing the job they were previously able to execute.

An employer, or insurance company, or the individual themselves might request the FCE. An employer might request an FCE because they have noticed that, that the employee is no longer able to meet the demands of the job; or the insurance company might want to find out if the client is still able to work, or should perhaps be medically boarded. An individual might request an FCE, after, for instance, having been shot, or bitten by a dog, and there is a need to determine if they can return to work. One of the cases could be that of medical negligence.  Another case might be a road accident, where the case might go to court, and you need to determine who was at fault, and what the current functioning of the individual is if they were injured in an accident.

An FCE is not a general evaluation; it takes place when its necessitated. Ibrahim said, in an interview with Radio Islam, “Generally, if the individual is unable to fulfil the requirements of the job that they use to be able to compete, for example, they may have had a stroke, and have lost the function of a limb, from a chronic, progressive condition such as dementia or a nerve condition that won’t improve, an FCE IS necessary.” Some may suffer from psychiatric conditions such as depression or bipolar mood disorder, and they may have frequent relapses, and may only be able to be at work for a few days a week – this will affect an individual’s performance. Ultimately, they struggling to complete their daily tasks, and also struggle to perform at work.

While it’s not common, an FCE can be performed to see what a prospective employee’s capabilities are, and where they can correctly be placed in a job to be able to perform the demands of that job.

During an evaluation the client is first interviewed, sometimes with a family member. Background information is thoroughly checked up on, such as childhood difficulties – were the correct milestone milestones developed at appropriate times or were they delayed? Education and schooling history is investigated – where the individual schooled, their highest level of education, any other qualifications they may have, skills, and courses that they may have taken. Ebrahim says, “You can also look at employment history and experience; this is important because, for example, there may be an individual with a history of depression, who may be unable to keep a job. They probably have frequent job losses due to the inability to keep a job, so therefore they will probably have a poor prognosis of being able to return to work.” She says, in such a case, “we also look at how they are coping with their daily activities, such as the ability to wash themselves, dress themselves, and move around independently. Are they able to care for their children and other family members?”

During an FCE, the individuals support system is also focused on: If the person is the primary breadwinner, how does this impact on the family members? The details of the current job are also looked into. The employer might be contacted, and the workplace might be visited. Its also important to see if employers are willing to make accommodations for the client. The client is also required to complete self-report questionnaires which determine the client’s own opinion on their level of functioning.

The client also undergoes a full physical assessment. There are standardized tests conducted as well. One of these is ‘The Workload Protocol’, which has specific norms that need to be met. If a client meets those norms, they’re able to work in an open labour market. A cognitive assessment is also performed. Visual perception, long term memory, language recall, and short term memory are assessed. A work simulation of the client’s job is also done to determine what the level of functioning of the client is.

Functional Capacity Evaluations are important to employers as they ensure their employees are being properly supervised through their injuries or disabilities. The assessment help employers develop plans for the employees return to work.