Development of an ICF core set for the management of musculoskeletal conditions in primary care physiotherapy services in Spain: a Delphi study.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop an ICF core set for the management of musculoskeletal conditions in primary care physiotherapy services in Spain.

Materials and methods: A two-round Delphi study was conducted among Spanish primary care physiotherapists. A list of 156 candidate ICF entities and 14 personal factors derived from preparatory studies was presented to an expert panel. Their relevance was assessed in the first round using a 5-point Likert scale, with a median score of 3.5 as the cut-off point. In the second round, dichotomous questions (yes/no) were proposed to definitively include or exclude the entities selected in the first round in the ICF Core Set. Consensus was defined as 80% agreement.

Results: Twenty-two physiotherapists participated in the survey. Consensus was reached on 56 entities, mainly focusing on the biological aspects of movement and their impact on mobility. These entities were proposed as the basis of an ICF core set for the management of musculoskeletal conditions by primary care physiotherapists.

Conclusions: The proposed ICF core set is the first step for the development of a standardised assessment and reporting system for functioning and contributes to the integration of the ICF into community-based rehabilitation services in Spain.