Date of Award

1993

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Henry C. Wessman

Keywords

Rehabilitation -- classification; Rehabilitation Centers -- North Dakota

Abstract

Medical rehabilitation is being influenced by a changing health care system that is putting pressure on care providers to increase emphasis on monitoring and documenting the functional outcomes of their clients. Rehabilitation needs tools that will assist in documentation of patient progress and attainment of goals and give an overview of the facility for program review. The Functional Classification System (FCS) is the tool used at the Rehabilitation Unit at 8t. Alexius. This paper documents the revision of the system.

A literature review was done to develop an understanding of the history of rehabilitation and functional assessment, to look at other functional assessment measures and their strengths and weaknesses, and to research the necessary characteristics of a functional assessment tool. The individuals who were using the original system (FCS:ver. 2) were then asked to rate the system and give suggestions for possible improvement through a questionnaire. After this groundwork was completed, a thorough review of the individual elements was performed. When the system had been in place for approximately four months, professionals using it were given the same questionnaire and asked to rate their satisfaction with the scale and the changes made. Results of this survey show improved rater satisfaction with all areas reviewed. Continued validity studies wi II be necessary but the new version of the FCS has improved in all necessary characteristics of a functional classification tool.

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