In response to a number of requests for objective assessments on individuals diagnosed with chronic debilitating conditions, for example with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia (FM), a team of medical professionals with significant experience in rehabilitation and work capacity issues were brought together. Following a two-year extensive literature search, the most appropriate, peer reviewed and researched components of current methods for assessing physical and cognitive abilities were incorporated into the CPAD protocol, specific to the individual’s required job demands.
A CPAD provides the necessary factual evidence required to support a medical opinion, and is of significant value to treating physicians, patients and also to independent medical examiners.
Safety for the individual undertaking the assessment is of
paramount importance and Form Health ensures that all our assessors are trained
to the highest standards to uphold our safety protocols. A number of measures to monitor safety within
the assessment are incorporated which include the following:
·
Pre-assessment condition screening.
·
Heart rates and blood pressure.
·
Identifying signs of muscle fatigue, weakness, or
changes in ergonomic postures.
·
Constant monitoring of pain and exertion levels.
The individual is informed prior to testing that they are
not expected to undertake any test they feel unable to perform, and that they
can cease to continue any task at any stage.
Since inception, CPAD assessments have been used for multiple conditions where the predominant reported barriers to a return to work are fatigue and/or pain. These conditions include, but not limited to:
Repeat physical and cognitive components are performed on either two concurrent, or on separate days with an intervening rest day (depending on the condition presented), to measure the effects of fatigue and/or pain, which may or may not be present following testing on the first day of the assessment and also to address the “good day/bad day” phenomenon.
Determination of an individual’s reliability forms an integral part of the assessment and is readily detectable in order to ascertain the person’s true working capabilities.
Assessments are face to face with a registered and trained Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Chiropractor or Nurse. Safety for the individual undertaking the CPAD is of course of paramount importance, and a number of measures are set in-place to help reduce or negate any potential negative exacerbations of symptoms.
In conclusion, the CPAD is designed to specifically and objectively measure the work capacity of an individual suffering from chronic debilitating conditions with respect to their normal occupation, utilising an extensive combination of valid and reliable testing, the results of which are free from both examiner and individual subjectivity.
