Authors: Prodinger, Birgit¹; Weise, Andrea P.²; Shaw, Lynn³; Stamm, Tanja A.⁴

Source: Disability and Rehabilitation, Volume 32, Number 3, June 2010 , pp. 183-195(13)

Publisher: Informa Healthcare

Abstract:

Purpose. This study aimed to gain knowledge about environmental factors (EFs) that impact work and social life participation of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Austria and Switzerland to extend the knowledge of participation and to identify key areas for measuring participation.

Method. A three-round Delphi study was conducted defining patients as experts. In the 1st round, qualitative data was gathered through questionnaires, analyzed with content analysis, and factors were assigned to EFs as classified in the ICF. In the 2nd and 3rd round, experts judged EFs according to its relevance to obtain consensus (cut-off 75%). Categories were ranked on a scale from mostly important to important.

Results. One hundred and twelve Austrian and 109 Swiss experts were recruited. The content analysis revealed 768 EFs. The study resulted in a list of 176 consensus factors for Austria and 177 Switzerland. Five categories revealed to be highly important, 12 moderately important, 6 fairly important, and 10 important.

Conclusions. This study indicates that participation in work or social life is influenced by physical, social, attitudinal, and policy factors. Consensus factors afford insights into areas for consideration in the development of participation outcome measurements and support a comprehensive and inclusive rehabilitation approach.

Keywords: Contextual factors; patient perspective; consensus method; international classification of functioning; disability and health

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09638280903071883

Affiliations: 1: 1Occupational Science Field, Graduate Program in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada 2: 2Valens Rehabilitation Center, Occupational Therapy, Valens, Switzerland 3: 4School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada 4: 3Medical University of Vienna, Clinic for Internal Medicine III, Vienna, Austria

Publication date: 2010-06-01

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