ABSTRACT
Functional capacity evaluation (FCE) may be defined as a systematic, comprehensive, and objective measurement of an individual's maximum abilities (ADL or work). The effect of the examinee's impairment on his or her ability to perform purposeful tasks is the focus of functional and/or work capacity evaluation (FCE/WCE). The common thread that connects all FCEs is the need for an evaluation of an individual with an unresolved residual. The forensic examiner must be able to determine the most suitable process from the 5 different types of evaluation processes involving functional capacity evaluations. The College on Forensic Sciences (CFS) has identified that most FCE administrators are not sufficiently grounded in science, case law and forensic issues. Examples may include misquoting standard journal articles and texts, making false statements, providing "junk science" opinions and interpretation, and deliberately omitting important facts and knowledge. In this day and age of managed care, cost containment of workers' compensation (fee schedules) claims, and economic incentives can change the position of the test administrators, therapists or providers. Through specialized training to better understand the requirements and needs of the courts, the forensic examiner can become a valuable tool in providing an "evidenced-based" opinion regarding FCE/WCE questions. This training should prepare the provider in FCE/WCE methods, forensic analysis and principles that have a reliable evidence-based reasoning and methodology that is scientifically valid.
ABSTRACT
As the profession of chiropractic grows in stature within our society, the morality of each chiropractor's conduct will be increasingly examined and scrutinized by the public, the media, the government and the profession itself. Immoral conduct occurs not by just a few unscrupulous individuals, but by a host of apparently good, successful professionals who lead what appear to be exemplary private lives. Recent increasing examples of professional and corporate moral decay as reported by chiropractic state boards, in print media, etc., should spur chiropractic colleges to make determined efforts to reemphasize ethics as part of the core curriculum. Ethical judgments depend upon both the decision making process itself and the experience, intelligence and integrity of the decision maker. The College on Forensic Sciences (CFS), a subsidiary of the American Chiropractic Association's (ACA's) Council on Chiropractic Orthopedics (CCO), developed a guideline of conduct to assist forensic examiners in making decisions in their every day subspecialty practice. Guidelines provide guideposts that can be helpful in assisting forensic examiners in evaluating the circumstances they are encountering and providing possible approaches that may be taken in addressing the ethical issues involved.
ABSTRACT
Measurement of spinal range of motion (ROM) along with strength, endurance, coordination, and sensation are among the essential determinants of musculoskeletal function. These measurements are important to the chiropractic physician concentrating in the fields of impairment rating, disability evaluation and independent medical examination (forensic examiner). An important initial step toward standardizing measurement of joint motion has been undertaken by the American Medical Association with their publication The Practical Guide to Range of Motion Assessment. Their publication is an attempt to provide a detailed and illustrated description of a standardized approach to ROM measurement and recording. The College on Forensic Sciences (CFS) is spear- heading an effort to encourage and provide detailed instruction on measuring range of motion according to this companion book to the AMA Guides. This attempt at providing a systematic format should enable chiropractic (forensic) evaluators to obtain more reliable range of motion measurements/data by using the same standardized protocols, reference tables, and reporting methods.
