How long is an FCE valid for??
Wed, 11/26/2008 - 10:20am
I was posed a question from an attorney for a worker that I did not evaluate. Worker participated in an FCE 8mos ago and did not demonstrate FD level of the job demands. Worker also presented with secondary medical issues which at the time precluded him from RTW in addition to the work injury. This secondary medical issue has cleared and is no longer a barrier. Attorney would like to know whether data gathered from the FCE 8mos ago is still valid or how long an FCE remains valid if there is no change in status in relation to the work injury.
The results of an FCE are generally accepted to be good for the day of the evaluation. A persons functional status can change from decade to decade, year to year and even month to month. This same question can be asked as "Are these restrictions permanent?". The response to this question in my opinion requires the medical qualifications of a doctor-as it requires diagnosis and prognosis-not within the field of expertiese of a therapist.
A couple of other factors come into play with the case you presented. A general rule for FCE's is that the evaluee be medically stable. You stated there was a "barrier". Whether or not the issue is primary or secondary does not really matter when we are discussing overall functioning-something has changed (improved or degrateded) that infulences overall functioning. It seems to me that another FCE is the appropriate choice-not only because the client's medical condition has changed, but also because 8 months is a significant amount of time.