From the Guidelines
Patients with diabetes who require a disability assessment should be referred to a healthcare professional specializing in disability, such as a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or speech-language pathologist, as stated in the 2024 standards of care in diabetes 1. When considering where to send a patient for a disability assessment, it is crucial to prioritize their specific needs and the complexity of their condition.
- The assessment should be performed by a qualified healthcare professional who can evaluate the patient's functional ability and capacity to manage their diabetes.
- According to the 2024 standards of care in diabetes, a referral should be made to an appropriate healthcare professional if a disability is impacting the patient's functional ability or capacity to manage their diabetes 1.
- The assessment process typically involves a comprehensive medical evaluation, review of medical records, and functional capacity evaluation, with the goal of recovering function and improving quality of life 1.
- It is essential to consider the patient's specific condition, such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy, which can cause impaired postural balance and gait kinematics, leading to functional disability 1.
- The healthcare professional should establish that the patient's condition meets the specific disability criteria of the program they're applying to, which often requires objective medical evidence beyond the patient's self-reported symptoms.
- Patients should bring all medical records, a list of current medications, and details about how their condition affects daily activities and work capabilities to the assessment.
From the Research
Disability Assessment Options
To determine where to send a patient for a disability assessment, consider the following options:
- Social Security Administration: for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income claims 2
- Workers' compensation: for work-related injuries or illnesses 2
- Private disability insurance: for personal or private disability insurance claims 2
- Family and Medical Leave Act: for leave related to a serious health condition 2
- Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) specialists: for functional assessment and rehabilitation 3
- Vocational rehabilitation evaluation: for assessment of functional limitations and return to work potential 4
Assessment Tools and Methods
Various tools and methods can be used for disability assessment, including:
- Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE): to assess a patient's ability to perform specific movements or activities 5, 6
- International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF): to classify and describe functional limitations and disabilities 4
- Gibson Approach to Functional Capacity Evaluation (GAPP FCE): a specific approach to FCE for clients with chronic back pain 6
Healthcare Professionals Involved
The following healthcare professionals may be involved in disability assessment:
- Physicians: to establish a diagnosis and assess impairments 2
- Psychiatrists: to assess mental impairments and provide insight into a patient's mental health 2
- Physical therapists: to assess physical impairments and provide rehabilitation services 2, 3
- Occupational therapists: to assess functional limitations and provide vocational rehabilitation services 4