Article

The Comprehensive International Classification of Functioning,
Disability and Health (ICF) Core Set for Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is an application
of the ICF and represents the typical spectrum of problems in functioning in
patients with diabetes. The aims of this study were to explore the content
validity of this Core Set from the perspectives of physical therapists (PTs) and
to identify the most common problems of patients with DM from the perspectives of
PTs using the ICF. DESIGN: In this observational study, PTs experienced in DM
treatment were asked about patients' problems, patients' resources, and aspects
of environment treated by PTs in their practices. The survey was conducted in
three rounds using the Delphi technique. Responses were linked to the ICF by two
persons. The degree of agreement was calculated using the kappa statistic.
RESULTS: Twenty-four PTs, from 11 countries, answered in the first round; 23 PTs
completed the second and third Delphi rounds. The PTs reached consensus on 49 ICF
categories; 73% of the ICF categories are represented in the ICF Core Set for DM,
whereas 27% of the categories are not represented in the ICF Core Set for DM.
Five concepts were linked to the ICF component personal factors, which is not yet
classified into detailed categories. CONCLUSIONS: The validity of the ICF Core
Set for DM from the perspective of PTs was supported. From the perspective of the
PTs, some additional categories qualified for future inclusion in the ICF Core
Set for DM. The ICF seems to provide an effective framework describing
functioning and disability in DM from the perspective of PTs.

Langue : ANGLAIS