Health Assessments

Independent Medical Evaluations

An Independent Medical Examination (IME) is an objective, third party assessment of an employee’s current medical status. Either an individual or multi-disciplinary medical team at your request performs this. It is often used when there is a question or need for clarifications of the employee’s medical diagnosis, current rehabilitation program, return to work abilities and dispute resolution.

An IME is often combined with a Functional Abilities Evaluation to provide medical clearance and a complete picture of the employee’s current level of function. Validity cross-check between the two evaluations can be performed. An IME can also be obtained early in the life of a case to assist in clarifying diagnosis, treatment direction and return to work strategies.

Functional Abilities Evaluations

A Functional Abilities Evaluation assesses an employee’s physical ability to perform their work. The employer, the employee and the health care team to facilitate a safe and timely return to work can use the information. We utilize a portable ARCON evaluation system, which provides an objective musculosketal assessment. Therefore, these evaluations can also be completed at the work place. It is based on internally recognized principles and normative values used for comparison for the identification of functional abilities and limitations. The FAE/FCE is performed by a Certified Kinesiologist and evaluates the employee completing various activities that simulate the physical demands at work, such as lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, standing, sitting, reaching, grasping, etc. The FAE/FCE can be conducted over one or two half days. To maximize the results for job matching purposes the FAE/FCE is customized to each employee’s job demands by utilizing the information from a Physical Demands Analysis. The information from this examination can be utilized by health care providers to plan a timely return to work, resulting in cost savings due to minimization of loss time and health care costs.

Ergonomic Evaluations

We are able to identify and control ergonomic risk factors that result in work place injuries. We are able to identify sub-optimal ergonomic design and provide you with recommendations to reduce the incidence and severity of work related injuries.

Job Site Analysis/Physical Demands Analysis

We are able to identify and document the physical demands of a job through onsite observation and analysis of the work, the employee and the work site. The results can be used to identify high risk areas that can lead to a work related injury, define physical job tasks for use in hiring and placement decisions, and determine if injured employees can meet the physical demands of a job thereby assisting with a return to work plan.

Diagnostic Services

We are able to provide rapid access to diagnostic evaluations and tests such as MRIs, CT Scans, Diagnostic Ultrasounds and Bone Scans. This facilitates rapid diagnosis and facilitates rapid treatment.

In Home Assessments

We are able to assess the client and their functioning from an in home setting. The assessor provides their opinion regarding the need for assistive devices or assistance in the home, and/or ability to return to work, with emphasis on practical and cost effective solutions that promote independence and active client participation. Our goal is to facilitate independent function in the home. This assessment may include the completion of Form 1 if required.

File Review

We are able to provide an experienced regulated health professional, which will provide objective, and impartial opinions and perspectives. This type of assessment is recommended when customary treatment regimes prove ineffective, resulting in failure to move through the expected milestones in rehabilitation. An appropriate consultant is designated to review file contents, undertake any necessary research, and develop a written summary of recommendations that will assist in determining next steps. The consultant will provide a rationale for their recommendations, and assist in implementation as needed. We believe strongly that all rehabilitation recommendations should be evidenced based, practical, cost effective and lead to increasing the independence of the client.

Multi-Disciplinary Evaluations

We are able to provide these evaluations to assist in treatment resolutions. This multi-disciplinary approach includes a list of questionnaires to be completed by the client, a musculoskeletal assessment performed by a physiotherapist, a Functional Abilities Evaluation performed by a Kinesiologist and a report summary of the evaluation findings and recommendations.

Vocational Services

We are able to provide the employee with the necessary tools, skills and resources to prepare for and develop a practical Employment Readiness/Job Search Strategy for appropriate vocations. This customized individual strategy is based upon an employee’s experience, education, physical abilities, transferable skills and occupational profile. Examples of our Vocational Services include:

Pre /Post Offer Employment Screening

We perform these assessments to assist you with the hiring process by performing job-specific physicals, to determine the applicant’s ability to perform the essential functions of a particular job. We can customize these assessments to the particular physical demands of the job.