Identifying Meaningful Patient Outcomes After Lower Extremity Injury, Part 2: Linking Outcomes to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health

Abstract

Context The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a framework and common language for describing and understanding health that incorporates function and disability, as well as contextual factors. However, whether the meaningful patient outcomes reported by collegiate athletes who have sustained a lower extremity (LE) injury correspond to the ICF model is uncertain. Objectives To determine if the patient outcomes reported by collegiate athletes after LE injury corresponded with the ICF classification and to identify the most relevant ICF categories and domains. Design Themes and subthemes from the qualitative analysis were linked to the ICF using established linking rules. The frequencies of the linked ICF categories were identified. Setting University laboratory. Patients or Other Participants Twenty collegiate athletes (10 men, 10 women; age = 20.1 ± 1.83 years) from a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I institution in the Midwest who had sustained an LE injury. Data Collection and Analysis Semistructured face-to-face interviews and ICF linking process. Results The data from the qualitative interviews were successfully linked to 63 ICF second-level domains (eg, moving around, d455) across all 4 ICF categories: body functions (b), body structures (s), activities and participation (d), and environmental factors (e). The 63 second-level domains corresponded with 20 first-level domains (eg, mobility, d4). Conclusions The ICF provided a common language for describing health and disability, as all outcomes reported by our collegiate athletes after LE injury were linked with the ICF classification. Athletic trainers should use the results of this study for assessing and monitoring collegiate athletes' health and function after an LE injury.