We are happy to announce that Annette and Colin are now providing Functional Capacity Evaluations(FCE) and Cognitive Functional Capacity Evaluations (Cog FCE). They’ve answered some common questions about FCEs and Cog FCEs. Still have more questions? Please get in touch.

Julia: What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)? 

Annette: A FCE assesses a person’s ability to perform the basic physical and/or cognitive abilities that we use in many day-to-day activities.  These results are typically used to determine a persons ability to function in a work setting . It includes an in-depth interview, standardized and non-standardized tests of strength, endurance, speed, flexibility, memory, attention and other general physical and/or cognitive abilities.

Colin: A Cog FCE follows the same lines as an FCE, but it also evaluates someone’s cognitive abilities, like memory, attention, concentration, and executive functioning – someones ability to self-control and self-regulate their behaviour.

The assessment can take one to two days.

Julia: How is a FCE different than a Cognitive Functional Capacity Evaluation (Cog FCE)?

Colin: A Cog FCE follows the same lines as an FCE, but it also evaluates someone’s cognitive abilities, like memory, attention, concentration, and executive functioning.

Julia: When would a FCE or Cog FCE be completed?

Annette: Here are a few examples of why an FCE or Cog FCE would be completed:

• As a baseline before starting a rehabilitation program, following injury or illness
• To measure progress during or following a rehabilitation program
• To determine a person’s ability to perform their pre-injury job
• To determine a person’s general work abilities

Julia: Who do they help?

Colin: These types of assessments can help the client, the employer, insurance, or other referral sources, and the rehab teams in a variety of ways.

• The client – to learn their safe tolerance to prevent re-injury or exacerbation of symptoms
• The employer, insurance or other referral source – to determine a person’s suitability for a specific job
• Physicians and rehabilitation team – to obtain objective information regarding the person’s physical and cognitive abilities, to guide treatment

Julia: What happens after an FCE?

Annette:

A FCE or Cog FCE can spark other assessments or treatment. Or it can help track progress and determine strengths and weaknesses.

For example, a FCE can determine someone’s abilities to perform their pre-injury job, or provide recommendations for accommodations that would help promote a successful return to work. So, a vocational assessment or vocational counselling to determine work options could be a next step for a client who is shown not to be able to return to their previous work based on the findings of the FCE/CogFCE.

To make a referral, please click here.