A Physician's POV: How The PCP Testing System Benefits Can Benefit The Medical Field

PCP Works recently went to speak with Dr. Jack Shepherd, Physician and Medical Director with Novant Health Occupational Medicine in Charlotte to get his perspective on the PCP Testing System and how it's benefiting him and his practice. Dr. Shepherd explained that not only has our testing system set a baseline, objective measuring system for safety, but it's also helped increase his business as well. Below are some highlights of our interview with Dr. Shepherd.

About Dr. Jack Shepherd:

Dr. Jack P Shepherd specializes in family practice in Matthews, NC and has over 26 years of experience in the field of medicine. He graduated from East Carolina University School Of Medicine with his medical degree in 1995. He is affiliated with numerous hospitals in North Carolina and more, including Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center.

Interview Highlights

1. How do you use the PCP equipment at your office?

We use the PCP equipment to perform pre-employment exams for a large, multi-national company that has a plant here in Charlotte. Our use of the equipment is part of a three part process this company uses for their "post-offer" exams. This includes drug screening, a medical clearance exam and then third, they use the PCP test in order to make sure that employees are capable of being able to perform the tasks that they were hired for so that they don't get injured on the job. Novant went out to the plant to learn the level of work that would be necessary for these employees to safely do their jobs without being injured and they then translated that to a score that we use the PCP equipment to measure.

   2. What does the PCP Test measure?

The PCP Testing System measures strength, flexibility and some level of endurance. It then gives us an objective score from 0-5, each of which correlate to the Department of Labor's exertion of work levels.

   3. What are the different levels associated with?

Everyone has a different level of strength, etc. So, for instance, a level one correlates to a more sedentary job, such as someone who would be at their desk most of the day, and then a level five is someone who would be required to exert the absolute highest possible strength for high-demanding physical jobs, such as a firefighter.

4. What do you like best about the PCP Testing System?

There's so many things that I love about the system but I'd say mainly the fact that we can get an objective, measured value that can then safely place employees in positions that are suited to their abilities. It really ensures the safety of both employees and employers and is suited to everyone. We've tested people of all sizes, races, colors, religions, backgrounds, etc and are really ensuring that the employee won't get injured on the job site.

5. How long does the test take and is it easy to use?

What's great about the test is that it only takes around 20 minutes to perform and is easy to use. PCP Works has given us very comprehensive steps and has trained us how to perform the test so it's fairly simple not only for us, but for the employee who is being tested as well.

6. What did you do before you had the PCP Testing System to measure safety measures objectively?

Before we had the PCP Testing System, we had a really hard time finding an objective way to measure safety. We even tried to create our own type of testing system but nothing has been even remotely as objective, accurate and effective as the PCP Testing System.

To watch the FULL interview with Dr. Shepherd, click HERE.