Linking the EASY-Care Standard to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to document the content of the EASY-Care Standard questionnaire to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and present its ICF Core Set. Method: The EASY-Care was linked to the ICF by two trained health professionals according to the established linking rules. The agreement between the health professionals was determined using the Cohen’s kappa. Results: The agreement between the two health professionals was almost perfect for each level of the ICF (Cohen’s kappas between 0.91 and 0.97). The 65 items of the EASY-Care were linked to 61 different ICF categories, 16 (26%) from the Body functions component, 3 from the Body structures (5%), 30 from the Activities and participation (49%) and 12 from the Environmental factors (20%). Twelve concepts could not be linked to the ICF at all: 6 were classified as Personal factors, 1 as not defined-general health and 5 were not classified. Conclusions: The integration of the universal language of the ICF in the EASY-Care illustrates the potential of use this instrument in primary care settings at community level.

Implications for Rehabilitation The integration of the universal language of the ICF in the EASY-Care potentiates the use of this comprehensive instrument in assessing older people needs at primary care settings.

The information obtained with the EASY-Care Standard can be worldwide understood and can be used to plan rehabilitation interventions at community settings for older adults.