The International Classification of Functioning (ICF) core set for breast cancer from the perspective of women with the condition.
OBJECTIVE
The ICF Core Set for breast cancer was generated by international experts for women who have had surgery and radiation but it has not yet been validated. The objective of the study was to validate the ICF Core Set from the perspective of women with breast cancer.


METHODS
A qualitative focus group methodology was used. The sessions were transcribed verbatim. Meaning units were identified by two independent researchers. The agreed list was subsequently linked to ICF categories by two independent researchers according to pre-defined linking rules. Data saturation determined the number of focus groups conducted. Quality of the data analyses was assured by multiple coding and peer review.


RESULTS
Thirty-four women participated in seven focus groups. A total of 1621 meaning units were identified which were linked to 74 of the existing 80 Core Set categories. Additional ICF categories not currently included in the Core Set were identified by the women.


CONCLUSIONS
The validity of the Core Set was largely supported. However, some categories currently not covered by the ICF Core Set for Breast Cancer will need to be considered for inclusion if the Core Set is to reflect all women who have had treatment for breast cancer
Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. mcooney@tcd.ie
Marese
M
Cooney
Rose
R
Galvin
Elizabeth
E
Connolly
Emma
E
Stokes
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification* / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases / Q000592:standards*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires