A system for evaluating the earning capacity of the disabled

A comprehensive system for evaluating the earning capacity of disability benefit claimants was developed. It is based on theoretical considerations of the factors constituting the loss of such capacity, and involves assessments made by a multi-disciplinary team (including at least a rehabilitation physician, registered nurse, psychologist and a social worker). Each team member conducts an assessment by means of a questionnaire with a strong emphasis on the claimant's functional capacity. In this study the physician was requested to evaluate the claimant according to a "profile of insufficiencies" in addition to the traditional percentage system which is used to reflect the degree of impairment. The results obtained with the first sample of 50 examinees are reported in this paper. The comprehensiveness of the variables covered by the team are demonstrated. A composite score agreed upon by the team was a better predictor of the final degree of disability (determined by an independent disability commission) than each team member's independent assessment. In addition, the "profile of insufficiencies", representing a functional approach to the medical evaluation, proved to be superior to the percentage system commonly used.