Validation of the international classification of functioning, disability, and health (ICF) core sets for musculoskeletal conditions in a primary health care setting from physiotherapists’ perspective using the Delphi method

Abstract

Purpose

To analyze the possibilities of using ICF core sets for musculoskeletal conditions in primary care physiotherapy units of the Health Service of “Castilla y León” (Spain).

Methods

A three-round Delphi study was conducted by physiotherapists working in a primary care setting. The data obtained were linked to second-level ICF categories and their relevance was assessed by the participants. The most relevant categories were compared with those present in the existing ICF core sets for musculoskeletal conditions.

Results

Eighty-four physiotherapists participated in the survey. The consensus was reached for 45 ICF categories and 5 personal factors after the survey. Thirty-five of these categories were present in the Comprehensive Core Set for post-acute Musculoskeletal Conditions. In addition, 35 categories present in the core set were not considered relevant from the participants' perspective.

Conclusions

Physiotherapists mainly considered movement-related categories as relevant. The ICF core set for post-acute musculoskeletal conditions comprises many of these categories and can therefore be taken as a basis for the adoption of ICF in the clinical context.

Relevance

Primary care physiotherapists should be aware of the advantages of using ICF in their clinical settings.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• This study shows which body functions and structures, activities and participation, environmental factors, and personal characteristics are relevant from primary care physiotherapists’ perspective assessing persons with musculoskeletal conditions.

• The Comprehensive ICF Core Set for Subacute Musculoskeletal Conditions includes most of the categories identified in this study, but they need to be refined to fully represent the primary care physiotherapists’ perspective.

• The results of this study support the use of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for Subacute Musculoskeletal Conditions as a basis for operationalizing ICF in this clinical setting.

Keywords:

• ICF
• core set
• physical therapy
• primary care
• musculoskeletal conditions

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank collaborators for their help in recruiting participants and performing administrative tasks. Likewise, the authors thank all the participating physiotherapists for their commitment and the time spent, without which the study would not have been possible.

Ethical approval

This study design, protocol and consent forms were performed in accordance to the guidelines of Conducting and REporting DElphi Studies (CREDES). It was approved by each Clinical Research Ethical Committee of the different health areas of Castille and Leon, Spain (CEIC 2231) and it was registered in clinicaltrials.gov:

Identifier number: NCT04135976.

First Posted: October 23, 2019.

Last Update Posted: December 23, 2020.

URL:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04135976?term=NCT04135976&draw=2&rank=1

This manuscript is original and not previously published, nor it is being considered elsewhere until a decision is made as to its acceptability by the review board.

All the authors have been actively involved in the planning and enactment of the review and have also assisted with the preparation of the submitted article.

Disclosure statement

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

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This study has not received any type of funding.