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Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 9/2009

Open Access 01-10-2009 | Original Article

Effect of Functional Capacity Evaluation information on the judgment of physicians about physical work ability in the context of disability claims

Authors: Haije Wind, Vincent Gouttebarge, P. Paul F. M. Kuijer, Judith K. Sluiter, Monique H. W. Frings-Dresen

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 9/2009

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Abstract

Purpose

To test whether Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) information lead insurance physicians (IPs) to change their judgment about the physical work ability of claimants with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Methods

Twenty-seven IPs scored twice the physical work ability of two claimants for 12 specified activities, using a visual analogue scale. One claimant performed an FCE, the other served as a control. Outcome measure was the difference between experimental and control group in number of shifts in the physical work ability for the total of 12 specified activities.

Results

The IPs changed their judgment about the work ability 141 times when using FCE information compared to 102 times when not using this information (P-value = 0.001), both in the direction of more and less ability.

Conclusions

The IPs change their judgment of the physical work ability of claimants with MSDs in the context of disability claim procedures more often when FCE information is provided.
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Metadata
Title
Effect of Functional Capacity Evaluation information on the judgment of physicians about physical work ability in the context of disability claims
Authors
Haije Wind
Vincent Gouttebarge
P. Paul F. M. Kuijer
Judith K. Sluiter
Monique H. W. Frings-Dresen
Publication date
01-10-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 9/2009
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-009-0423-8

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