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Investigating rehabilitation needs of visually impaired young adults according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
Author(s) -
Leeuwen Lisette M.,
Rainey Linda,
Kef Sabina,
Rens Ger H. M. B.,
Nispen Ruth M. A.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/aos.12782
Subject(s) - international classification of functioning, disability and health , rehabilitation , multidisciplinary approach , odds ratio , psychology , gerontology , needs assessment , medicine , clinical psychology , physical therapy , social science , sociology , pathology
Purpose To gain qualitative insight into the rehabilitation needs of visually impaired young adults (18–25 years) and how these needs relate to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and patient characteristics. Methods Rehabilitation needs and patient characteristics of young adults ( N = 392) who applied for multidisciplinary services in 2012 and 2013 were obtained from structured and semi‐structured intake records. Linking rules were used to assess how the needs related to Environmental Factors, Body Functions, Body Structures, and Activity and Participation (A&P) ICF components. The relationship between the type of rehabilitation goal and patient characteristics was assessed using multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results Most rehabilitation needs (67.6%; N = 510) were found on the A&P component of the ICF. Most prevalent needs were related to ‘major life areas’ (e.g. finding internship or job), followed by the chapters: ‘mobility’ (e.g. self‐reliance in travelling), ‘communication’ (e.g. using communication devices and techniques), ‘general tasks and demands’ (e.g. psychological aspects of vision loss) and ‘domestic life’ (e.g. household tasks). Patients in one of the multidisciplinary rehabilitation centres (odds ratio (OR) = 7.07; 95% confidence interval (CI) [2.97–16.83]) and patients with comorbidity (OR = 3.82; 95% CI [1.62–9.02]) were more likely to report rehabilitation needs related to chapter E3 ‘support and relationships’. Conclusion ‘Major life areas’ prevail in the content of rehabilitation needs, but tend to overshadow topics regarding peer interaction and social, community and civic life. A suitable survey method for young adults with visual impairments is required that contains rehabilitation domains and goals relevant to their lives and development.