The Leeds Assessment Scale of Handicap: its operationalisation, reliability, validity and responsiveness in in-patient rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE
This paper describes the application of the handicap dimension of the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps.


METHODS
A method of assessing four of the six roles (or areas of expected competency) was developed and applied to an in-patient population, aged 16 to 65 years, receiving specialist rehabilitation following neurological damage. Handicap assessment was a collaborative process by a multidisciplinary team. Difficulties were experienced in measuring inter-rate reliability in the busy, clinical setting.


RESULTS
We conclude that handicap assessment in an in-patient rehabilitation unit which uses a multidisciplinary approach to treating patients with complex physical, sensory and cognitive problems is both feasible and useful.


CONCLUSIONS
The developed scale, The Leeds Assessment Scale of Handicap, provides a valid and valuable summary of human disadvantage, complementing the common disability assessments.
Geddes
J M
JM
Rehabilitation Division, Research School of Medicine, University of Leeds, UK.
Tennant
A
A
Chamberlain
M A
MA
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000145:classification* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D009949:Orientation; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation