What Makes Us Unique

Matheson Certification vs. Standard FCE

Standard FCE companies often use automated software or rigid, “one-size-fits-all” protocols that generate reports based on simple pass/fail metrics.

Matheson Difference: This certification trains evaluators to be “Thinking Evaluators”. Rather than just recording numbers, a Matheson-certified OT interprets why a client stopped a task—distinguishing between physical fatigue, safety risks, or self-limiting behavior due to fear of re-injury.
Purpose-Driven: Matheson FCEs are tailored to answer specific referral questions (e.g., “Can this person safely lift 50lbs at a specific construction site?”) rather than just running a generic battery of tests.

Advanced Validity & Effort Testing

In legal and workers’ comp cases, “sincerity of effort” is the most scrutinized part of an FCE.

Standard Screenings: May only use a few basic indicators (like grip strength consistency) to determine if a client is trying their best.
Matheson/OT Advantage: A Matheson-certified OT utilizes over 70 separate criteria to objectively determine consistency of effort and the reliability of pain ratings. This makes our reports significantly more legally defensible in court compared to standard screenings.

Mobile vs. Clinic-Based Testing

Most standard FCEs require the injured worker to travel to a clinic, which can sometimes be an artificial environment.

Ecological Validity: A mobile OT can perform the evaluation at the actual job site or in the client’s home. This allows the therapist to measure capabilities against the exact stairs, equipment, or tools the employee uses daily.
Reduced Barriers: For workers with severe mobility issues or chronic pain, traveling to a clinic can cause “flare-ups” that skew test results. Mobile services capture the client in their natural state, leading to more accurate, “real-world” data.

Clinical Expertise of an OT

While physical therapists (PTs) and others perform FCEs, OTs bring a specific focus to function and environment.

Holistic Approach: OTs are trained to evaluate not just physical strength, but also cognitive and psychosocial barriers—such as how anxiety about an injury affects performance.
ADL Integration: OTs naturally incorporate “Activities of Daily Living” into their assessments, providing a fuller picture of how an injury affects a person’s entire life, not just their 9-to-5 job.