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Research Article

The relevance of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in monitoring and evaluating Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR)

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Pages 826-837 | Received 07 Nov 2012, Accepted 27 Jun 2013, Published online: 14 Aug 2013
 

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the relevance of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to CBR monitoring and evaluation by investigating the relationship between the ICF and information in published CBR monitoring and evaluation reports. Method: A three-stage literature search and analysis method was employed. Studies were identified via online database searches for peer-reviewed journal articles, and hand-searching of CBR network resources, NGO websites and specific journals. From each study “information items” were extracted; extraction consistency among authors was established. Finally, the resulting information items were coded to ICF domains and categories, with consensus on coding being achieved. Results: Thirty-six articles relating to monitoring and evaluating CBR were selected for analysis. Approximately one third of the 2495 information items identified in these articles (788 or 32%) related to concepts of functioning, disability and environment, and could be coded to the ICF. These information items were spread across the entire ICF classification with a concentration on Activities and Participation (49% of the 788 information items) and Environmental Factors (42%). Conclusions: The ICF is a relevant and potentially useful framework and classification, providing building blocks for the systematic recording of information pertaining to functioning and disability, for CBR monitoring and evaluation.

    Implications for Rehabilitation

  • The application of the ICF, as one of the building blocks for CBR monitoring and evaluation, is a constructive step towards an evidence-base on the efficacy and outcomes of CBR programs.

  • The ICF can be used to provide the infrastructure for functioning and disability information to inform service practitioners and enable national and international comparisons.

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge our Fellowship partners on our broader project from: Asosiasaun Hi’it Ema Ra’es Timor (ASSERT), Timor Leste; Callan Services, Papua New Guinea; Co-operative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE) Lao PDR; Centre for Medical Rehabilitation (CMR) CBR Project Lao PDR; Department of Community Development, Papua New Guinea; Disabled Persons Association Solomon Islands (DPASI), Solomon Islands; Klibur Domin Foundation, Timor Leste; Ministry of Health, Fiji; Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Solomon Islands; Office of Genetic Counselling and Disabled Children (OGCDC), Vietnam; Solomon Islands College of Higher Education, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Pacific Regional Rights Resource Team (RRT), based in Fiji; College of Allied Medical Professionals (CAMP), Philippines.

Notes

1Community development programmes take place in the community. The programmes help communities to develop the skills to identify issues and concerns, make change to improve conditions and so have some level of local community determination and control [Citation9].

2Grey literature refers to research that is either unpublished or has been published in non-commercial form. It includes papers, reports, technical notes or other documents produced and published by governmental agencies, academic institutions and other groups that are not distributed or indexed by commercial publishers [Citation9].

3Although not initially time limited, the dates for grey literature were ultimately restricted to 1990–2011.

4These websites can most conveniently and reliably be found by searching on line, e.g. “CBR network Africa”.

5Coding involved a systematic assignment of codes to information items, according to the ICF and its definitions.

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