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The Ward Function Inventory (WFI): a scale for use with geriatric and demented inpatients
Diseases of the Nervous System
|January 1, 1977
Summary
The Ward Function Inventory (WFI) is a new behavioral rating scale for geriatric and demented patients. Reliability studies show it is a practical tool for assessing 12 key functions in this population.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Assessing behavioral function in geriatric and demented inpatients is crucial for effective care.
- Existing tools may not adequately capture the specific functional needs of this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on the development and validation of a new behavioral rating scale, the Ward Function Inventory (WFI).
- To assess the reliability and practical utility of the WFI for geriatric and/or demented inpatient populations.
Main Methods:
- The Ward Function Inventory (WFI) was developed to assess 12 distinct behavioral functions.
- Six independent reliability studies were conducted involving 83 patients and 63 raters across various patient types.
Main Results:
- The WFI demonstrated strong inter-rater reliability, with a mean reliability coefficient of .81.
- Reliability scores ranged from .73 to .93 across the different studies, indicating consistent measurement.
- Studies were performed on diverse inpatient groups, supporting the scale's generalizability.
Conclusions:
- The Ward Function Inventory (WFI) is a reliable and practically useful tool for assessing behavioral functions in geriatric and demented inpatients.
- The WFI's strong reliability supports its use in clinical settings for patient evaluation and care planning.