Linking the EASY-care standard to the international classification of functioning, disability and health.

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.