From Concept to Practice: The Development of ClinFIT for Musculoskeletal Disorders

This study aimed to develop Clinical Functioning Information Tool-musculoskeletal, an International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-based clinical tool for the assessment and reporting of the functioning and rehabilitation potential of patients with a musculoskeletal condition.

This multistep, mixed-methods tool development process encompassed developing an initial shortlist of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health categories (comprising the aggregation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Sets for musculoskeletal conditions and a literature search), identifying the Clinical Functioning Information Tool-musculoskeletal items feasible for clinical use via a two-round Delphi survey, developing a simple description for each item and deciding on the rating scale through development working group consultations. These consultations were also instrumental at each step of tool development.

Based on a shortlist of 33 categories, the Delphi survey generated 17 items (7 body function and 10 activity and participation categories), which can be rated with a 0-4 scale (0 = no problem to 4 = complete problem) accompanied with rating specifications or with a 0-10 numeric rating scale without specification.

Clinical Functioning Information Tool-musculoskeletal can be used by rehabilitation professionals to support individualized care and track functional outcomes. It can also be employed in research and public health. Psychometric testing and cross-cultural validation will be pursued to ensure Clinical Functioning Information Tool-musculoskeletal's scientific robustness and applicability across diverse settings.