The International Classification of Impairment, Disabilities and Handicaps (ICIDH), developed by World Health Organization (WHO) in 1980, has long served as the conceptual framework for rehabilitation outcome research. Currently the WHO is modifying this framework and reclassifying the dimensions as impairments of bodily functions and structure, activity (functioning at a person level), participation (nature and extent of a person's involvement in life situations) and environmental and personal factors (ICIDH-2). The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Measuring Outcomes at Sargent College, Boston University has begun a five year grant funded by the Department of Education in 1999 to develop a new generation of outcome measures for investigating the effectiveness of rehabilitation services. A project within the RRTC will develop a new measurement system based on the ICIDH-2 activity dimension. This presentation will describe item development using the ICIHD-2 framework and report preliminary results using psychometric methods to develop an activity scale for use in post-acute settings.
The activity dimension includes learning and understanding, communication, movement, self care activities, domestic activities, interpersonal activities, and performing tasks and major life activities. The new activity scale contains items from current rehabilitation assessments along with new items from the ICIDH-2. Data are currently being collected using across four post-acute settings. We will present the activity scale and will identify ways in which this scale will be used in the field. Test items calibrated on a similar scale can be used to measure outcomes across the continuum of care.
Learning Objectives: The learner will define the activity dimension as described in the ICIDH-2. The learner will describe use of activity items across the post-acute continuum
Keywords: Disability, Outcome Measures
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Center for Rehabilitation Effectiveness at Sargent College, Boston University
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.