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Functional Capacity Evaluation

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  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine

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Definition

Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) are performance-based assessments designed to determine current capacity to perform activities while considering the individual’s body structures and functions, environmental and personal factors, and health status (Soer et al. 2008a). FCEs are used in occupational, insurance, and rehabilitation medicine to inform determinations of work readiness. Various FCE protocols are used and may differ in purpose, but typically the evaluations play a role in facilitating work reintegration. FCEs involve medical and work history, questionnaires, physical examination, and a series of assessment items including manual handling (lifting and carrying), position tolerance testing, and mobility and coordination tests. To make return-to-work decisions, clinicians compare demonstrated capacity to required job demands. A patient whose capacity meets or exceeds job demands is deemed suitable for sustainable performance of those tasks at the workplace. If...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Douglas P. Gross

  2. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    Michiel F. Reneman

Authors
  1. Douglas P. Gross
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  2. Michiel F. Reneman
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Correspondence to Douglas P. Gross .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Behavioral Medicine Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA

    Marc D. Gellman

Section Editor information

  1. Behavioral Medicine Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA

    Marc D. Gellman

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Gross, D.P., Reneman, M.F. (2020). Functional Capacity Evaluation. In: Gellman, M.D. (eds) Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39903-0_101935

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39903-0_101935

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