RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF A NEWLY DEVELOPED TEST OF PHYSICAL WORK PERFORMANCE

This study examined the interrater reliability and validity of a newly developed test of physical work abilities, the Physical Work Performa nce Evaluation. Eleven physical therapists were trained to administer and score this evaluation. From this group, two therapists at a time s imultaneously and independently evaluated 50 patients with musculoskel etal disorders as they performed the tasks of the Physical Work Perfor mance Evaluation. At the conclusion of the evaluation, each therapist determined the safe level of physical work for each patient. A compari son of the two independent evaluations was used to determine reliabili ty. To determine validity, the predicted level of work was compared wi th the actual level of work. Kappa, coefficient between the two therap ists on the level of work was .83. Spearman rho correlations between t he predicted and actual levels of work ranged from .41 to. 55. Only 14 to 18% were working above the level predicted by the Physical Work Pe rformance Evaluation. These results indicate high interrater reliabili ty. Given the lack of a perfect standard for validity comparisons, the se results also provide evidence in support of convergent validity. Th e test can be used in making decisions regarding return to work after injury, preemployment placement, and vocational exploration.