Abstract
Purpose
To validate the comprehensive ICF core set for post-acute musculoskeletal conditions from the perspective of patients in a primary care physiotherapy setting.
Materials and methods
A qualitative study was conducted with patients suffering from musculoskeletal problems. A phenomenological approach based on focus groups was used to identify the most relevant aspects related to physical therapy care in their condition. The data were analyzed using a meaning condensation procedure, identifying relevant themes and concepts. The identified concepts were linked to the ICF and compared to the ICF core set for post-acute musculoskeletal conditions.
Results
Forty-three patients were included in eight focus groups. A total of 1281 relevant concepts were extracted and related to 156 ICF second-level entities. Entities in the ICF core set for post-acute musculoskeletal conditions were 95.7% confirmed. Eighty-nine additional second-level ICF entities were identified.
Conclusions
Entities in the ICF core set for post-acute musculoskeletal conditions are relevant to patients seen in primary care physical therapy units. However, there are areas of functioning related to community health care not covered by this ICF-based tool.
An ICF-based framework is feasible for the assessment of musculoskeletal conditions.
Post-acute musculoskeletal ICF core set was confirmed in patient focus groups.
Additional ICF categories emerged for a primary care physical therapy setting.
Community features of functioning could be addressed by a tailored ICF core set.
IMPLICATIONS OF REHABILITATION
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the collaboration of Raquel García-Ruiz, Alicia Prieto-López, Marta Pérez-Alonso, and Bruno Blanco-Varga in recruiting participants and organizing focus groups.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).