Article

The purpose of the study was to explore the aspects of functioning and
health relevant to patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to the
caregivers of TBI patients explicitly involved in the preliminary study for the
Development of the ICF Core Set for TBI using a qualitative research method.
METHOD: The sampling of patients followed the maximum variation strategy. To
respect this strategy, we involved patients with different degrees of impairment
and so, for some people it was not possible to join the group because of their
severe cognitive impairment, in this case we interviewed their caregivers. The
focus groups were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. The meaning
condensation procedure was used for the data analysis.
After qualitative data
analyses, the resulting concepts were linked to ICF categories according to
established linking rules. RESULTS: Eighteen focus groups and five single
interviews were performed. Forty-one patients participated in 10 focus groups.
Thirty-three caregivers participated in eight focus group and six caregivers
underwent a single interview. Saturation at 10% cutoff was reached. Based on 10
patient focus groups, we linked the concepts to 144 2nd level ICF different
categories. In the eight focus group with caregiver we linked the concepts to 129
2nd level categories. In the single interviews, we could link the concepts only
to Environmental factors and we linked to 25 ICF different categories.
CONCLUSION: A broad range of aspects of functioning and health as well as several
Environmental factors important to patients with TBI were explored and included
in the preparatory phase of the development of ICF Core Sets for TBI. Whereas
patients focused on problems in mobility, employment and recreation and leisure
the caregivers highlighted several issues related to self-care as being important
for the patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS