Article

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and
Health (ICF) Core Set for Vocational Rehabilitation is an application of the ICF
of the World Health Organization with the purpose of identifying problems and
resources relevant for people in a vocational rehabilitation given a health
condition. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to validate the
Comprehensive ICF Core Set for Vocational Rehabilitation from the perspective of
patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). The specific aims were to explore the
aspects of functioning and health important to patients with SCI regarding return
to work and to examine to what extent these aspects are represented by the
current version of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for Vocational Rehabilitation.
METHODS: Focus group interviews were conducted. The sampling of patients followed
the maximum variation strategy. Sample size satisfied saturation criterion. The
focus groups were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. The meaning
condensation procedure was used for the data analysis. After qualitative data
analysis, the resulting concepts were linked to ICF categories according to
established linking rules. RESULTS: Twenty-four SCI patients participated in
seven focus groups. Sixty-three ICF categories out of 90 ICF categories contained
in the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for Vocational Rehabilitation were reported by
the patients. Forty-two additional categories that are not covered in the
Comprehensive ICF Core Set for Vocational Rehabilitation were found but adding
the health condition-specific ICF Core Set for SCI in long-term context, only 11
categories were not covered. CONCLUSIONS: The existing version of the
Comprehensive ICF Core Set for Vocational Rehabilitation was confirmed almost
entirely by the focus groups to explore the vocational situation of patients with
SCI. Implications for Rehabilitation Validation of the ICF Core Set for
Vocational Rehabilitation as a useful tool to facilitate social reintegration and
rehabilitation of patients with SCI. Return to work is a key outcome in
vocational rehabilitation of patients with SCI including those who are young with
long-term employment prospects. The results of this study could provide a
foundation in utilizing the ICF Core Set for Vocational Rehabilitation to guide
rehabilitation goals, service planning and evaluation, and fostering an engaging
relationship with employers in the context of SCI rehabilitation. SCI patients
have specific needs, not entirely covered by the both ICF Core Set for SCI
long-term context and for Vocational Rehabilitation. Our results underline some
of the second level categories, probably related to specific SCI impairment,
which can be useful to plan specific rehabilitation programs to improve the
return to work after SCI.

Langue : ANGLAIS