Re: Work before FCE/Impairment rating?

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>> DO WHAT YOU CAN DURING THE FCE..BUT DON'T TRY TO IMPRESS THE
>> PERSON ADMINISTERING THE TEST. THIS PERSON ISN'T REALLY ON
>> YOUR SIDE AND IS TRYING TO PROVE THAT YOU CAN DO MORE THAN YOU
>> LET ON.

> spells out: no lifting, stooping, crawling, bending, typing,
> and some other items. What will they do (the fce idots) if you
> bring such a note to the exam?

I am an occupational therapist who administers FCE's. The truth
is that the test and the clinician performing the test should be
completely objective. If you are honest about what your abilities
are, then the test is effective. If you are pushing yourself
beyond your comfort level during the test, nobody benefits.
Alot of people think that they are penalized for not being able
to perform certain tasks during the test, and that there are
judgements by the person administering it.
This should not be the case.

By pushing yourself to do something because you feel it is
expected of you to perform up to that level, is not allowing
yourself or the therapist to be objective. We have to put down
what we observe and are told.

If you ever feel pressured by the administrator of an fce to
perform a task you feel you cannot do without injury, please
report them and challenge the result of the test.

We are not here to prove anybody wrong, we are simply here to
administer an exam, just like an ultra sound and to send in the
results.

Also, it is ok to call and speak with the therapist administering
the test beforehand and voice any concerns you have prior such
as a doctors orders not to lift, stoop, etc...
I always want the person that I am seeing to feel comfortable and
not to feel anxious about the test because they feel that we are
here to prove anything other than to what capacity they feel they
can perform at. I am not alone in this, and I would make
arrangements to see another administrator if the person wouldn't
talk with me about what to expect.

The only idiots are the ones that don't take responsibility for
their own health and well being.

Lyndie Sorenson, OTR/L