title: The "Comprehensive ICF Core Set for Head and Neck Cancer": a Delphi consensus survey among German speaking speech and language therapists.
abstract: The "Comprehensive ICF Core Set for Head and Neck Cancer" (ICF-HNC) is an application of the "International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health" (ICF), representing the characteristic spectrum of issues in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Our primary aim was to evaluate which categories of the ICF-HNC are dealt with by speech and language therapists (SLTs) in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The secondary aim was to identify outcome measures used by SLTs to measure the categories of the ICF-HNC in clinical practice. SLTs experienced in the treatment of HNC patients evaluated the categories of the ICF-HNC in a three-round Delphi survey. They were asked whether the listed categories represented issues treated by SLTs in HNC patients, and what outcome measures were used to assess them. Altogether, 31 SLTs completed the survey. 47 of 108 previously selected categories of the ICF-HNC achieved the cut-off value. Out of these, 40.4% were derived from the component "Body Functions", 36.2% from "Body Structures", 12.8% from "Environmental Factors", and 10.6% from "Activities and Participation". Altogether, 82 of the mentioned outcome measures were considered as reasonable from the perspective of SLTs. Of these, only 37 achieved more than 50% approval. This study emphasises the importance of "Body Structures" and "Body Functions" for SLTs in Germany and Switzerland in treating patients with HNC. Moreover, the results highlighted the need to agree on evidence-based outcome measures in speech and language therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany. matthias.engelbarts@unimedizin-mainz.de.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Engelbarts
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schuster
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kisser
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology-IBE, Chair for Public Health and Health Services Research, Research Unit for Biopsychosocial Health, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.|ICF Research Branch, a Cooperation Partner Within the WHO Collaborating Centre for the Family of International Classifications in Germany (at DIMDI), Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sabariego
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology-IBE, Chair for Public Health and Health Services Research, Research Unit for Biopsychosocial Health, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.|ICF Research Branch, a Cooperation Partner Within the WHO Collaborating Centre for the Family of International Classifications in Germany (at DIMDI), Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Marita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stier-Jarmer
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology-IBE, Chair for Public Health and Health Services Research, Research Unit for Biopsychosocial Health, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.|ICF Research Branch, a Cooperation Partner Within the WHO Collaborating Centre for the Family of International Classifications in Germany (at DIMDI), Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coenen
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Benjamin Philipp
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Strieth
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Düsseldorf, Kirchfeldstr. 40, 40217, Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Harréus
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany.|Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Becker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001317:Austria; D032921:Consensus; D003697:Delphi Technique; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000145:classification*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013070:Speech Therapy; D013066:Speech-Language Pathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland
keywords: ICF Core Set; ICF Core Set for Head and Neck Cancer; International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health; Rehabilitation; Speech and language therapist