Screening for disability. An examination of the O.E.C.D. Survey questions in a Canadian study

The objective of this study was to identify 25 questions suitable for detecting disability in the general population. The questions will ultimately be incorporated within larger surveys, and seek to identify the physical, social and emotional effects of illness. From a review of existing questionnaires, 64 questions were selected for trial; the OECD questions were among them. The 64 questions were tested in interviews with psychiatric outpatients and with physical medicine (rehabilitation) patients. For all cases an extensive assessment was made by the attending physician. Analysis of response rates, and the comparisons between question replies and the physicians' judgments showed that the OECD questions compared favourably with questions from other sources. Recommendations are made on which questions should be included in a disability screening instrument for use in Canada.