Fitness-for-Duty Evaluations

This chapter reviews relevant issues in conducting fitness for duty evaluations. The perspectives of treating clinicians as well as independent forensic evaluators are both considered. Treating clinicians should consider whether they have the requisite experience and training to perform the evaluation; referral to an independent evaluator is often necessary in these evaluations. After obtaining relevant history and conducting one or more clinical interviews, independent mental health fitness for duty evaluators should focus upon specific functional deficits regarding the evaluee’s work. Evaluators should be familiar with relevant professional ethics principles pertinent to conducting fitness for duty evaluations, including informed consent, confidentiality, honesty, objectivity, respect for persons, and professionalism.