Authors: Magasi, Susan; Hammel, Joy; Heinemann, Allen; Whiteneck, Gale; Bogner, Jennifer

Source: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, Volume 41, Number 11, October 2009 , pp. 936-944(9)

Publisher: Medical Journals Limited

Abstract:

Objective: To examine how participation is conceptualized by different rehabilitation stakeholder groups.

Design: Qualitative case study design.

Subjects: A total of 148 participants from different stake-holder groups in 2 US states and the District of Columbia. Stakeholders included people with disabilities (n=63), caregivers (n=28), rehabilitation professionals (n=32), funders (n=10), and policy makers (n=15).

Methods: Eighteen focus groups were conducted to examine what participation means, how it is conceptualized, and the barriers to realizing full participation. Focus groups were transcribed verbatim; transcripts were analyzed using a constructivist grounded theory approach.

Results: Stakeholders agreed on 3 primary domains of participation: (i) productivity and economic participation; (ii) social participation and relationships; and (iii) leisure/recreational participation. Participation within each domain was characterized by its diversity, individuality and environmental influences. Differences emerged in the emphasis stakeholders placed on the relevance of the participation domains in the lives of people with disabilities. Stakeholders' emphasis was influenced by their roles within the rehabilitation process and created distinct needs for participation outcome measures.

Conclusion: While there was agreement about what constitutes participation, stakeholders emphasized different aspects of participation based on their positions in the rehabilitation process. Recommendations are offered for integrating study findings into the development of new participation measures.

Keywords: COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION; QUALITATIVE RESEARCH; REHABILITATION; OUTCOME ASSESSMENT; DISABLED PERSONS; CAREGIVERS; POLICY MAKERS; HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2340/16501977-0450

Publication date: 2009-10-01

More about this publication?

• Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine is the international peer-reviewed journal published in English, with at least 10 issues published per year.
  
  Original articles, reviews, case reports, short communications, special reports and letters to the editor are published, as also are editorials and book reviews. The journal strives to provide its readers with a variety of topics including: functional assessment and intervention studies, clinical studies in various patient groups, methodology in physical and rehabilitation medicine, epidemiological studies on disabling conditions and reports on vocational and sociomedical aspects of rehabilitation.
  
  The journal is read by a wide group of healthcare professionals including specialists in rehabilitation medicine, neurology, clinical neurophysiology, general medicine, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and social workers.
  
  Contributions from all parts of the world and from different professions in rehabilitation are welcome.
  
  ISI Impact Factor 2009: 1.882.
  
  Owned by Foundation of Rehabilitation Information.

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