ESA video assessment

Hello.....I have just been contacted to have a video assessment, just wondering iff anyone has one and what to expect

It says it's done by a health professional I have back problems it says spinal stenosis on my MRI scan ...will they expect me to do bending ect on the assessment because it causes a lot of pain
Thanks

Hi,

My Work Capability Assessment for UC was conducted over video, I am assuming this would be similar, if not identical, to an ESA assessment. Like pauls1, my health problems are physical - restricted mobility and severe pain.

They sent me a link for the video conference and full instructions in advance. When you come to click on the link at the allotted time, you are greeted by a receptionist who clarifies your identity and puts you on hold until your assessor connects. I was on hold for about 10 minutes - I am not sure if this is usual but I was paranoid that they were observing me covertly! The actual assessment took about 50 minutes once the assessor appeared.

The assessor did not ask me to carry out any physical tests or activities. Upon reading the assessors report it seems that she assessed my ability to carry out each activity based on observations rather any clinical examination.

For example:

Activity 2 Standing and Sitting
Behaviour Observed During Assessment
'Was able to sit on a chair with a back for 50 minutes'
Relevant Features of Clinical Examination
'Unable to assess'

Activity 4 Picking up and moving or transferring by the use of upper body and arms
Behaviour Observed During Assessment
'All upper limb movements appeared fluid and pain-free'
Relevant Features of Clinical Examination
'Unable to assess'

The assessors report includes a section titled 'Medical Examination Findings'. Under each heading eg: 'Lower Limb', 'Upper Limb', 'Conciousness', 'Continence' etc. the assessor has stated 'Unable to assess'.
The only heading that she wrote anything else was under the heading 'General', where she stated:

'The details and scope of the physical examination were explained to the client, including advice not to perform any movements causing pain or discomfort. The client gave consent for the process to proceed. Unable to proceed with physical examination due to limited amount of room and client being unable to face her phone down, in order to conduct the assessment.'

Two things I would point out re that statement are:

1. She did not, at any point, mention or explain anything about a physical examination. (Each assessor is different though so yours might follow due process).
2. I was using my laptop for the video conference not a phone. She never asked me to 'face my phone down' nor did she suggest any form of physical examination.

From my perspective, I would have much preferred a physical examination rather than relying on spurious observations. A proper medical or physical examination would have given a much better and more accurate picture of my abilities and disabilities.

Although you are undergoing the assessment in the comfort of your own home (which makes things a little easier) you must not become complacent or let the assessor lull you into a false sense of security (I was guilty of this!). Treat it as you would a face to face assessment, follow the advice on B&W guides and from the B&W mods. If you are uncomfortable or in pain let the assessor know and do what you need to do to ie: get up and move around, stretch etc. Because it was observed (for example) that I was able to sit in a chair for 50 minutes it was deemed that I had no problems standing or sitting, scoring me 0 points. What the assessor didn't, or couldn't, observe was that I was in a considerable of pain causing me to break out in a sweat and my legs to shake. In hindsight, I would have handled this differently - maybe pointed it out to her or asked to take a few minutes break?

Also, I didn't record my assessment but I wish I had as there were so many factual errors and discrepancies in the report. I'm not sure about the process or legalities of recording a video assessment but I'm sure the moderators would be able to clarify? If you can, I highly recommend you record it or ask for it to be recorded.

I hope some of this information helps.

Gary wrote:

Hi pauls1 I do not remember if we have had any feed back from members who have had a video assessment, I personally have not come across any clients who have had a video assessment. If any members have had a video assessment I would love to hear from you on how it went, how long the assessment lasted and if you were asked to undertake any bending or stretching movements. What I would say if you cannot do anything you are asked then politely refused and explain why you cannot do what has been asked. Gary

Thanks , have looked on the internet but can't find anything either, just hoping I can things set up to work for a video call on my mobile phone !

Hi pauls1, I have given an account of my experience of WCA video assessment above. With regards using your phone for your assessment, I'd certainly try to set it up on a table in front of you. I couldn't imagine having to go through the whole assessment holding a phone at the same time, particularly if you are in pain.

Notyniki wrote:

Hi, My Work Capability Assessment for UC was conducted over video, I am assuming this would be similar, if not identical, to an ESA assessment. Like pauls1, my health problems are physical - restricted mobility and severe pain. They sent me a link for the video conference and full instructions in advance. When you come to click on the link at the allotted time, you are greeted by a receptionist who clarifies your identity and puts you on hold until your assessor connects. I was on hold for about 10 minutes - I am not sure if this is usual but I was paranoid that they were observing me covertly! The actual assessment took about 50 minutes once the assessor appeared. The assessor did not ask me to carry out any physical tests or activities. Upon reading the assessors report it seems that she assessed my ability to carry out each activity based on observations rather any clinical examination. For example: Activity 2 Standing and Sitting Behaviour Observed During Assessment 'Was able to sit on a chair with a back for 50 minutes' Relevant Features of Clinical Examination 'Unable to assess' Activity 4 Picking up and moving or transferring by the use of upper body and arms Behaviour Observed During Assessment 'All upper limb movements appeared fluid and pain-free' Relevant Features of Clinical Examination 'Unable to assess' The assessors report includes a section titled 'Medical Examination Findings'. Under each heading eg: 'Lower Limb', 'Upper Limb', 'Conciousness', 'Continence' etc. the assessor has stated 'Unable to assess'. The only heading that she wrote anything else was under the heading 'General', where she stated: 'The details and scope of the physical examination were explained to the client, including advice not to perform any movements causing pain or discomfort. The client gave consent for the process to proceed. Unable to proceed with physical examination due to limited amount of room and client being unable to face her phone down, in order to conduct the assessment.' Two things I would point out re that statement are: 1. She did not, at any point, mention or explain anything about a physical examination. (Each assessor is different though so yours might follow due process). 2. I was using my laptop for the video conference not a phone. She never asked me to 'face my phone down' nor did she suggest any form of physical examination. From my perspective, I would have much preferred a physical examination rather than relying on spurious observations. A proper medical or physical examination would have given a much better and more accurate picture of my abilities and disabilities. Although you are undergoing the assessment in the comfort of your own home (which makes things a little easier) you must not become complacent or let the assessor lull you into a false sense of security (I was guilty of this!). Treat it as you would a face to face assessment, follow the advice on B&W guides and from the B&W mods. If you are uncomfortable or in pain let the assessor know and do what you need to do to ie: get up and move around, stretch etc. Because it was observed (for example) that I was able to sit in a chair for 50 minutes it was deemed that I had no problems standing or sitting, scoring me 0 points. What the assessor didn't, or couldn't, observe was that I was in a considerable of pain causing me to break out in a sweat and my legs to shake. In hindsight, I would have handled this differently - maybe pointed it out to her or asked to take a few minutes break? Also, I didn't record my assessment but I wish I had as there were so many factual errors and discrepancies in the report. I'm not sure about the process or legalities of recording a video assessment but I'm sure the moderators would be able to clarify? If you can, I highly recommend you record it or ask for it to be recorded. I hope some of this information helps.

Thanks very much ..this is a great help I have a screen record only computer so I will record the whole thing I think