Development of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) core set for stroke...

This study aimed to develop an ICF core set for assessing stroke survivors in community-based rehabilitation settings in Hong Kong.

A three-round Delphi process which involved 39 multidisciplinary experts in community-based rehabilitation services was conducted to reach consensus on a preliminary version of ICF core set for stroke survivors. The initial questionnaire included 130 second-level ICF categories while the panel was invited to suggest additional categories. Experts rated the relevance of each category using a 5-point Likert-type scale. Consensus of ratings was assessed using Spearman's rho and inter-quartile range indices. Two experts were identified as outliers and excluded after the second and third rounds. The remaining 37 experts then then applied the preliminary core set to stroke survivors under their care. After 6 months of application, a fourth Delphi round using the same list of categories from the third round was conducted to refine the core set based on practical feedback.

After refinement through 30 out of 37 experts in the fourth Delphi round, the finalised core set was developed which included 41 categories.

The final core set reflects key dimensions of functioning relevant to stroke survivors receiving community-based rehabilitation services in Hong Kong.