gms | German Medical Science

80th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

20.05. - 24.05.2009, Rostock

Content validation of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for Head and Neck Cancer (HNC): The perspective of psychologists

Meeting Abstract

  • corresponding author Sven Becker - Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
  • author Ulrich Harreus - Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
  • author Alexander Berghaus - Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
  • author Uta Tschiesner - Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Munich, Munich, Germany

German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. 80th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. Rostock, 20.-24.05.2009. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2009. Doc09hno069

doi: 10.3205/09hno069, urn:nbn:de:0183-09hno0696

Published: July 22, 2009

© 2009 Becker et al.
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Outline

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Objective: The „Comprehensive ICF Core Set for HNC“ is an application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and represents the typical spectrum of problems in functioning of patients with HNC. The objective of this study was to explore the content validity of this Core Set from the perspective of psychologists.

Methods: Psychologists experienced in HNC treatment were asked about the patients´ problems, resources and aspects of environment they treat in HNC patients in a three-round Delphi survey. First round responses were linked to the ICF. In round two a list of all identified ICF categories was sent to the participants and they were asked whether the listed ICF categories represent the patients’ problems, resources and the aspects of the environment psychologists treat in HNC patients. In round three the participants were requested to reconsider their decisions based on the group response. Kappa statistics was used to describe the agreement between the 2 health care professionals who performed the linking.

Results: 34 psychologists from 15 countries named 728 concepts covering all ICF components. 98 ICF categories were linked to these answers. 27 concepts were linked to the not yet developed ICF component Personal factors. Kappa coefficient reached 0.71 (95% bootstrapped CI 0.64– 0.77).

Conclusion: The validity of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for HNC was largely supported by the perspective of psychologists. However, some categories considered relevant for psychologists but currently not covered by the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for HNC require further investigation.