Development of an ICF-Based Core Assessment Set for Psychiatric Occupational Therapy in Japan: A Three-Round Delphi...

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Occupational Therapy

Background:

• Growing need for comprehensive assessment tools for mental health patients based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF).
• Lack of ICF-based tools tailored for mental health care in Japan.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify ICF categories relevant to mental health patients in Japan.
• To establish foundational data for an occupational therapy-oriented assessment tool.

Main Methods:

• A three-round Delphi survey involving 15 Japanese experts (psychiatrists and occupational therapists).
• Questionnaires derived from ICF Checklist, core sets, guidelines, and research.
• Consensus determined using the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method.

Main Results:

• 42 ICF categories were selected: 17 body functions, 21 activities and participation, and 4 environmental factors.
• A significant emphasis on activities and participation items, aligning with occupational therapy principles.
• Increasing agreement rates across Delphi rounds indicated stable consensus.

Conclusions:

• A preliminary ICF set for Japanese mental health patients was established.
• This represents a crucial first step towards an ICF-based occupational therapy assessment tool.
• Future research should focus on reliability, validity, clinical utility, and stakeholder perspectives.