Objective: To report on the results of the consensus process integrating evidence from preliminary studies to develop the first version of a Comprehensive ICF Core Set, and a Brief ICF Core Set for chronic ischaemic heart disease.
Methods: A formal decision-making and consensus process integrating evidence gathered from preliminary studies was followed. Preliminary studies included a Delphi exercise, a systematic review and an empirical data collection. After training in the ICF and based on these preliminary studies relevant ICF categories were identified in a formal consensus process by international experts from different backgrounds.
Results: The preliminary studies identified a set of 253 ICF categories at the second, third and fourth ICF levels with 89 categories on body functions, 25 on body structures, 82 on activities and participation and 57 on environmental factors. Sixteen experts attended the consensus conference on CIHD (11 physicians with various sub-specializations and 3 physical therapists). Altogether 61 second-level categories were included in the Comprehensive ICF Core Set with 14 categories from the component body functions, one from body structures, 17 from activities and participation and 29 from environmental factors. The Brief ICF Core Set included a total of 36 second-level categories with 10 on body functions, one on body structures, 13 on activities and participation and 12 on environmental factors.
Conclusion: A formal consensus process integrating evidence and expert opinion based on the ICF framework and classification led to the definition of ICF Core Sets for CIHD. Both the Comprehensive ICF Core Set and the Brief ICF Core Set were defined.