ICF Core Set for patients with cardiopulmonary conditions in early post-acute rehabilitation facilities.

Abstract

The aim of this consensus process was to decide on a first version of the ICF Core Set for patients with cardiopulmonary conditions in early post-acute rehabilitation facilities. The ICF Core Set development involved a formal decision-making and consensus process integrating evidence gathered from preliminary studies including focus groups of health professionals, a systematic review of the literature and empiric data collection from patients. Seventeen experts selected a total of 84 second-level categories. The largest number of categories was selected from the ICF component Body Functions (33 categories or 39% of all ICF Core Set categories). Four (5%) of the categories were selected from the component Body Structures, 23 (27%) from the component Activities and Participation, and 24 (29%) from the component Environmental Factors. The Post-acute ICF Core Set for patients with cardiopulmonary conditions is a clinical framework to comprehensively assess patients in early post-acute rehabilitation facilities, particularly in an interdisciplinary setting. This first ICF Core Set will be further tested through empiric studies in German-speaking countries and internationally.