Disability and rehabilitation
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The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) Burn Injury Model Systems (BMS) is a nationwide database that uses patient-reported outcome measures to collect data. Though the outcome measures demonstrate good psychometric properties, the question remains whether or not these measures collect data that encompass the entire experience of burn patients over time. ⋯ This study suggests a need to revisit the item composition of the BMS assessments to more evenly distribute ICF topics and subtopics that are pertinent to burn injury which will ensure a broader but more precise understanding of burn injury recovery. Implications for Rehabilitation A better understanding of the data collected through the Burn Model Systems (BMS) project may contribute to improve data collection tools and ultimately lead to clinical practice innovations and improvements. Clinicians interested in using BMS data for research purposes can better understand what topics are included and excluded in the collection and what perspectives are addressed. This study highlights the need for burn clinicians around the world to lend their expertise to the WHO for the development of a much needed burn injury International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Set.
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This study aim was to evaluate whether the Extended International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Set for Stroke captured the interventions of a community stroke rehabilitation team situated in a large city in New Zealand. It was proposed that the results would identify the contribution of each discipline, and the gaps and differences in service provision to Māori and non-Māori. Applying the Extended International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Set for Stroke in this way would also inform whether this core set should be adopted in New Zealand. ⋯ The results support the use of the Extended International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Set for Stroke in New Zealand and demonstrates its use as a quality assurance tool that can evaluate the scope and practice of a rehabilitation service. Implications for Rehabilitation The Extended International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health Core Set for Stroke appears to represent the stroke interventions of a community stroke rehabilitation team in New Zealand. As a result, researchers and clinicians may have increased confidence to use this core set in research and clinical practice. The Extended International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health Core Set for Stroke can be used as a quality assurance tool to establish whether a community stroke rehabilitation team is meeting the functional needs of its stroke population.
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The aim of this study was to describe experiences of attitudes in the society of Sierra Leone from the perspective of individuals with poliomyelitis and people with amputations using orthotic or prosthetic devices. ⋯ In Sierra Leone, people with disabilities face severe discrimination. They need to be included, recognized, and supported to a greater extent by the society, the community, and the family, as well as by the government and international organizations. Traditional beliefs have a negative impact on people with physical disabilities and are an important cause of discrimination in Sierra Leone. Prosthetic and orthotic devices are vital for people with physical disability and offer increased dignity. Prosthetic and orthotic services need to be accessible and affordable. Poverty affects access to education, employment, and health care for Sierra Leoneans with physical disabilities, forcing them to resort to begging to cover basic living needs. Implications for Rehabilitation In Sierra Leone, traditional beliefs related to disability and public attitudes need to change in order to protect the human rights of people with disabilities. Increased public awareness of disability and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) at different levels in society is needed. To increase access to prosthetic and orthotic services in Sierra Leone, these services need to be affordable and related costs, such as transport, need to be covered by support. Increased access to education, employment, and financial support could contribute to an improved standard of living for people with physical disabilities. Governmental and international support is needed to decrease attitudinal and environmental barriers for people with disabilities in Sierra Leone.
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Review
World Health Organization disability assessment schedule 2.0: An international systematic review.
This systematic review examines research and practical applications of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) as a basis for establishing specific criteria for evaluating relevant international scientific literature. The aims were to establish the extent of international dissemination and use of WHODAS 2.0 and analyze psychometric research on its various translations and adaptations. In particular, we wanted to highlight which psychometric features have been investigated, focusing on the factor structure, reliability, and validity of this instrument. ⋯ The growing number of studies indicates increasing interest in the WHODAS 2.0 for assessing individual functioning and disability in different settings and individual health conditions. The WHODAS 2.0 shows strong correlations with several other measures of activity limitations; probably due to the fact that it shares the same disability latent variable with them. Implications for Rehabilitation WHODAS 2.0 seems to be a valid, reliable self-report instrument for the assessment of disability. The increasing interest in use of the WHODAS 2.0 extends to rehabilitation and life sciences rather than being limited to psychiatry. WHODAS 2.0 is suitable for assessing health status and disability in a variety of settings and populations. A critical issue for rehabilitation is that a single "minimal clinically important .difference" score for the WHODAS 2.0 has not yet been established.
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The study aimed at assessing the relationship between various Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) subdomains and rehabilitation achievements in post-acute hip-fractured patients. ⋯ Post-acute hip-fractured patients scoring normally on place orientation and visual construction MMSE subdomains have a better chance of achieving favorable rehabilitation outcome. Implications for Rehabilitation Post-acute hip-fractured patients have a better chance to achieve a favorable rehabilitation outcome when scoring normally on place orientation and visual construction MMSE subdomains. Patients having difficulties in orientation and visual construction may need more rehabilitation time as they lack planning and organizational capacity to follow instructions. Assessing MMSE subdomains may reveal subtle cognitive impairment in patients scored within the normal range on the MMSE test. Identifying subtle cognitive impairment may assist in coordinating the patients and their caregivers' expectations, efficiently allocating resources and help in advanced care planning.