E. Abdelmoty et al., FUNCTIONAL-CAPACITY AND RESIDUAL FUNCTIONAL-CAPACITY AND THEIR UTILITY IN MEASURING WORK CAPACITY, The Clinical journal of pain, 9(3), 1993, pp. 168-173
Objective: The pain physician is often asked to establish the medical
impairment of the chronic pain patient (CPP) and from that determinati
on ascertain the work capacity of the CPP. Functional capacity (FC) te
sting has recently been introduced as a more objective and accurate wa
y of facilitating the determination of work capacity. However, there a
re conceptual problems with the measurement of FC. These will be revie
wed and the relationship of FC to residual functional capacity (RFC) w
ill be determined. Finally, a method for measuring RFC in a job-specif
ic manner will be suggested. Data Sources: The literature in reference
to the measurement of medical impairment, FC, and RFC was reviewed. S
tudy Selection: Studies appropriate to the objective of this review we
re selected for inclusion. Conclusions: The FC and RFC are poorly defi
ned. Lack of definition has interfered with design of appropriate test
batteries specific to work capacity. To circumvent this problem a job
-specific RFC measurement method is suggested. This method is based on
the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.