Validation of the extended ICF core set for stroke from the patient perspective using focus groups

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Health Services Research
• Disability Studies

Background:

• The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a standardized framework for health and functioning.
• The extended ICF core set for stroke aims to represent the typical spectrum of functioning in stroke survivors.
• Patient perspectives are crucial for validating health classifications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the extended ICF core set for stroke using patient focus groups.
• To explore aspects of functioning and health that are important to individuals with stroke.
• To gather evidence on the representativeness of the ICF core set from a patient viewpoint.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing focus groups with a maximum variation sampling strategy.
• Digital recording and verbatim transcription of focus group discussions.
• Analysis of qualitative data, linking concepts to ICF categories, and comparison with the extended ICF core set for stroke.

Main Results:

• Sixty patients participated in 15 focus groups.
• 131 out of 166 ICF categories in the extended core set were reported by patients.
• 31 additional ICF categories not currently in the core set were identified as important by patients.

Conclusions:

• The extended ICF core set for stroke is largely confirmed as valid from the patient perspective.
• The findings support the continued use and potential refinement of the ICF core set for stroke.
• Patient-reported outcomes align well with the existing ICF core set, highlighting its relevance.