In Search of an Integrative Measure of Functioning

Rosamond H. Madden, Nick Glozier, Nicola Fortune, Maree Dyson, John Gilroy, Anita Bundy, Gwynnyth Llewellyn, Luis Salvador-Carulla, Sue Lukersmith, Elias Mpofu and Richard Madden
Additional contact information
Rosamond H. Madden: Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney, P.O. Box 170, NSW 1826, Australia
Nick Glozier: Brain & Mind Research Institute, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, 94 Mallett St., Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
Nicola Fortune: Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney, P.O. Box 170, NSW 1826, Australia
Maree Dyson: Dyson Consulting Group, 450 Chapel Street, South Yarra, VIC 3141, Australia
John Gilroy: Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney, P.O. Box 170, NSW 1826, Australia
Anita Bundy: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, East Street, Lidcombe 2141, Australia
Gwynnyth Llewellyn: Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney, P.O. Box 170, NSW 1826, Australia
Luis Salvador-Carulla: Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney, P.O. Box 170, NSW 1826, Australia
Sue Lukersmith: Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney, P.O. Box 170, NSW 1826, Australia
Elias Mpofu: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, East Street, Lidcombe 2141, Australia
Richard Madden: Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney, P.O. Box 170, NSW 1826, Australia

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 6, 1-18

Abstract: International trends towards people-centred, integrative care and support require any measurement of functioning and disability to meet multiple aims. The information requirements of two major Australian programs for disability and rehabilitation are outlined, and the findings of two searches for suitable measures of functioning and disability are analysed. Over 30 current measures of functioning were evaluated in each search. Neither search found a generic measure of functioning suitable for these multibillion dollar programs, relevant to a wide range of people with a variety of health conditions and functioning experiences, and capable of indicating support needs, associated costs, progress and outcomes. This unsuccessful outcome has implications internationally for policy-relevant information for disability, rehabilitation and related programs. The paper outlines the features of an Integrative Measure of Functioning (IMF) based on the concepts of functioning and environmental factors in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). An IMF would be applicable across a variety of health conditions, settings and purposes, ranging from individual assessment to public health. An IMF could deliver person-centred, policy-relevant information for a range of programs, promoting harmonised language and measurement and supporting international trends in human services and public health.

Keywords: functioning; disability; rehabilitation; public health; people-centred services; integrated care; measurement; assessment; ICF (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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