Service Providers’ Perspectives on Using the ‘F-Words in Childhood Disability’: An International Survey

Abstract

Aims

The ‘F-words in Childhood Disability’ – operationalizing the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Framework – have attracted great interest around the world. However, we have yet to learn how service providers (SPs) are using them. The aim of this study was to explore international SPs’ attitudes toward and use of the ‘F-words’.

Methods

A survey was administered, guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, including Likert-scaled statements and an open-ended question. Ninety-one SPs working with children with impairments from 27 countries completed the survey.

Results

While 82 agreed the ‘F-words’ are good practice, only 60 are using the ‘F-words’. Similarly, 52 SPs agreed that their colleagues approved of their use and 54 felt they were easy for families to use and understand. Respondents reported three main uses: (i) support of preexisting clinical approaches, (ii) direct integration into practice, and (iii) being taught in higher education. They also identified barriers to implementation (e.g., alternative clinical approaches and limited resources).

Conclusions

Findings provide insights in how the ‘F-words’ are being used and the limitations thereof, which can inform future directions to support international implementation. With international SPs, we need to develop adapted dissemination tools to support uptake by individuals worldwide.

Keywords:

• International service providers
• implementation science
• ICF
• childhood disability
• F-words

Acknowledgements

This study was conducted as part of an undergraduate thesis by AKS required for a BHSc (Honours) degree at McMaster University. JWG holds the Scotiabank Chair in Child Health Research. AC is funded by a CanChild post-doctoral fellorship. We would like to thank all SPs who completed the survey and shared their experiences with the ‘F-words’.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alice Kelen Soper

Alice Kelen Soper, BHSc (hon), is Masters of Science in Global Health student at McMaster University.

Andrea Cross

Andrea Cross, MSc, PhD, is a post-doctoral fellow at CanChild and School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University.

Peter Rosenbaum

Peter Rosenbaum, MD, FRCP(C), is a Professor of Pediatrics at McMaster University and co-founder of CanChild.

Jan Willem Gorter

Jan Willem Gorter, MD, PhD, FRCP(C), is the Director of CanChild, Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, and an associate member in the School of Rehabilitation Science at McMaster University. He is the holder of the Scotiabank Chair in Child Health Research.