2782 N. Highland Ave.Suite A
Jackson, TN 38301
Phone: (731) 664-1172
Phone: (731) 664-5959
Fax: (731) 664-3139
Email: email us here
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Frequently asked questions
Please click on a question below to view the answer.
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What is an FCE?
An FCE (Functional Capacity Evaluation) is a comprehensive evaluation that assesses and defines an individual current physical abilities in regard to job goals or generic physical tolerance with the end goal of case resolution.
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Why the Matheson System?
The system is designed and built around tests, which have been peer reviewed and published. This allows the clinician providers to customize an FCE to the questions from the referral source(s) while maintaining the integrity of the assessment and it’s reliability and validity.
The Matheson System also follows the Practice Hierarchy, espoused by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the American Psychological Association, and the
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). This hierarchy requires that clinicians design FCE’s with five essential components in mind.
- SAFETY
- RELIABILITY
- VALIDITY
- PRACTICALITY
- UTILITY
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How long is the Matheson FCE?
The length of the evaluation can vary depending on the questions to be answered. The system allows clinicians to customize the assessment to answer those questions to achieve case resolution. The Matheson system advocates a 4,6 or 8 hour assessment to assure the issues relative to job match, endurance, and consistency of effort and symptom response have been thoroughly evaluated. Shorter assessments can be performed if questions are specific to minor issues of a lifting restriction or a specific job task.
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Some systems use a 2 day approach why is this not the case with the Matheson System?
The Matheson FCE focuses on tolerance within the course of one day. The rationale for this is so prolonged positional tolerances and consistency of performance can be adequately assessed under the observation of the clinical evaluator. This approach avoids the need for extrapolation formulas, which are unproven to date, and when translated to the actual work environment can place the injured worker at risk of re-injury.
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How do I know that my client has tried his best and that the results of the assessment are worth anything?
The Matheson System prides itself on a multi-faceted approach to issues of both effort and consistency of subjective reporting (aka symptom magnification). In addition to drawing a distinct line between these issues the system also uses a variety of tests to identify the complexity of these issues with the patient.
Formal testing of effort and symptom response is then correlated with the clients interview findings (self report), measures of perceived ability, standardized test results and observed performance and tolerances.
This comprehensive picture is compared with the functional tolerances measured and observed during the FCE. The Matheson trained evaluator will then present summary data and conclusions/recommendations to answer the referral sources questions and determine the factors impacting the clients successful return to work or the plan for the “next step” with the client leading to case resolution.
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I’m used to a computerized assessment system, why is this better?
Computerized assessments though consistent in their “recipe” with each client do not allow customization without compromising reliability. In addition since the computer cannot “see” the client the data is not always a valid indication of the client’s performance.
The Matheson System using the WorkStation software gives the consistent report format and documentation of the computerized systems while allowing the assessment to address specific issues relative to the client’s case. This not only leads to more useful information for the referral source but also allows the referral source to pay for an assessment that better meets their needs.
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How does the Matheson System address reliability and validity?
The system has been built around tests that have been peer reviewed and published thus having been shown to be reliable. The validity of the assessment comes from the clinical provider being able to customize the assessment to answer the questions of the referral source and observation and measurement of the client performing actual tolerances and specific work simulated activities. The strongest validity is content validity, which means closely replicating what the client needs to do prior to stating whether or not they can or cannot tolerate the activity.
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How does this system stand up in court?
The system and reports have held up in courts throughout the US and in Supreme Court in Canada with some judgments holding up over physician’s reports.