The FIT (Functional Independence Training) Program
The Functional Indepence Training Program at Gaylord Hospital

Help for Injured Workers

Currently within Connecticut, there are approximately 7,000 - 8,000 people who have been injured at work, out of work for more than six months, and who are not actively participating in gainful employment.

The Functional Independence Training (FIT) Program at Gaylord Hospital is a comprehensive program designed to meet the needs of the State of Connecticut workers’ compensation commission, insurance carriers, physicians, and – most importantly – the injured worker.

The FIT Program provides medical and rehabilitative care and job placement to assist individuals in safely returning to work or providing objective measurements for case closure.

Program Description

The FIT Program consists of two components:

1. Baseline Evaluation

2. Six-week Intensive Program

This highly structured program maximizes the injured worker’s ability to return to work.

The FIT Program addresses the barriers each individual has to functional independence through expert evaluation and treatment while actively assisting in the return to gainful employment.

Baseline Evaluation

The Baseline Evaluation consists of four components:

#1 – Objectively measures the physical, functional, pain, vocational and nutritional barriers to functional independence and return to work.

#2 – Determines an injured worker’s ability to enter the six-week intensive program with a residential option.

#3 – Recommends a treatment plan or provides objective measurements to assist with case management or case closure.

#4 – Identifies prognosis for work re-entry.

This valuable information is measured through:

  • One-hour physician evaluation
  • One-hour physical therapy evaluation to determine musculoskeletal status
  • Two-hour occupational therapy evaluation to assess functional work capacity
  • One-hour vocational status evaluation
  • One-hour psychology evaluation to assess pain and psychosocial status
  • 30-minute nutritional evaluation

Comprehensive Report

The evaluation team meets weekly to prepare a comprehensive report that is provided to the referring physician, insurance representative and injured worker.

The Six-Week Intensive Program

The second component of the service is the injured worker’s participation in a six-week intensive program, which culminates in a release for work. The FIT Program is highly structured and goal-oriented. Designed as a multidisciplinary program, it addresses an individual’s physical, functional, pain management and employment needs. Given the intensity of the program, participants are offered the option of residing at a local motel.

Exercise and work activity-both simulated and real-are prescribed to maximize functional independence. Participants may perform some of their work tasks at the actual job site. This program includes physical reconditioning, work simulation, pain management and job placement.

The participant’s time is structured like an 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. work day to prepare for return to gainful employment.

Daily Routine

Eligible participants are housed at an area motel, if desired. Transportation for these participants to and from Gaylord Hospital is provided by the participants and/or a program-sponsored van.

Participants of the FIT Program attend the program Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The daily schedule includes physical conditioning (P.T.), functional conditioning (O.T.) and group vocational, pain management, nutritional and recreational classes. Participants are also evaluated for participation in aquatic therapy, which is available for one hour per day.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates for the FIT Program must:

  • Be out of work on continuous disability secondary to a work-related injury.
  • Demonstrate that other medical problems are effectively being managed.
  • Be a cooperative patient who agrees with

FIT Program goals

The FIT Program is prescribed by a physician based on recommendations from the baseline evaluation.

Return to Work

The FIT Program placement expert offers a unique advantage that the FIT Program gives to injured workers, employers and insurers. Beginning with the first meeting, this expert focuses on finding participants gainful employment through:

  • Identifying potential employers
  • Working with vocational counselors
  • Assisting in resume preparation and interview skills
  • Encouraging and establishing contacts between participants and employers

Conclusion

At the conclusion of the six-week program, the worker, physician, payer and employer are provided with a:

  • written release for work
  • written, comprehensive discharge summary which describes current functional ability and allows the participant to successfully transition to gainful employment.

The FIT Program is intensive in nature and requires significant and total commitment. Therefore, one excused absence is allowed during the six-week program. All unexcused, unexplained absences or lack of cooperation or commitment will result in discharge from the program.