A mobile app implementing the international classification of functioning, disability and health rehabilitation set

Malan Zhang,Yun Xiang,Yun Zhang,Tiebin Yan,Xinting Zhang,Ziling Lin,Jiani Yu,Wei Shen

doi:10.1186/s12911-020-1019-1

Abstract

BackgroundThe Chinese assessment standards of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Rehabilitation Set is available now. It is coming to be used as a basic functional evaluation tool in China. With data accumulating, a mobile application is needed to eliminate the extra cost of data entry, storage, and graphical presentation of trends. This study aimed to design, develop and test a mobile app based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Rehabilitation Set Rehabilitation Set.MethodsThe study had three phases. The first involved specifying the functional requirements of the app. Then an app was designed and refined to meet those requirements. In a pilot test, the app was used by rehabilitation professionals in clinical practice and their comments were collected for its further modification in one-on-one interviews.ResultsThe app met the initial requirements, and the pilot study showed it worked as designed. The pilot study also showed that the app is user-friendly and convenient to use in rehabilitation practice. Some feedback was given to improve the app.ConclusionAn Android mobile app implementing the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Rehabilitation Set was successfully developed.

Highlights

The Chinese assessment standards of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Rehabilitation Set is available
Functioning is the key indicator of successful rehabilitation [2, 3], so the functional evaluation tools shared by professionals are very important for rehabilitation practice
The Chinese assessment standards of the International Classification of Functioning and Health (ICF)-RS have been used across China, but data accumulation has led to some problems

Summary

Introduction

The Chinese assessment standards of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Rehabilitation Set is available now. This study aimed to design, develop and test a mobile app based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Rehabilitation Set Rehabilitation Set. In the twenty-first century the global demand for medical rehabilitation continues to increase, especially in low- and middle-income countries [1]. A mobile app could facilitate more frequent assessment, allow more objective data collection, save storage space, prevent data loss, and ensure high-speed data delivery [13,14,15]. It can be used flexibly even without Internet access, making health information available without cite restriction [16]. Several mobile apps for the ICF have been reported [19,20,21], but none is available yet for the ICF-RS

Objectives

Methods

Results