Andy S. K. Cheng, Stella W. C. Cheng; Use of Job-Specific Functional Capacity Evaluation to Predict the Return to Work of Patients With a Distal Radius Fracture. Am J Occup Ther 2011;65(4):445–452. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2011.001057
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© 2021 American Occupational Therapy Association
OBJECTIVE. We examined the predictive validity of a job-specific functional capacity evaluation (FCE) in relation to the return to work of patients with a distal radius fracture.
METHOD. Return-to-work recommendations for 194 participants with a distal radius fracture were based on FCE performance. Three months after the evaluation, participants were contacted to ascertain their employment status to examine the predictive validity of each FCE-based rating.
RESULTS. The recommendation return to previous job (94.83%) was correct more often than the recommendations do not work at the moment (60.47%), change job (52.63%), and return to previous job with modifications (9.38%). A longer period from injury to FCE and compensable injury reduces the predictive ability of job-specific FCE.
CONCLUSION. Job-specific FCE shows a better predictive validity in relation to the return to work of patients with a specific injury, such as a distal radius fracture, than of patients with a nonspecific injury.
Received a medical diagnosis of distal radius fracture from a physician
Referred for FCE by a physician
Received FCE in designated occupational therapy work rehabilitation centers of the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong during the period March 2004–April 2007
Willing to cooperate by reporting personal particulars
Willing to be interviewed by telephone 3 mo after the FCE.
Could not be contacted after discharge
Refused to report current employment status.
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