Development of an ICF‐based questionnaire for urinary and/or fecal incontinence (ICF‐IAF) : The male patients' perspective using focus groups

Aims:
This study seeks to explore barriers faced by and resources available to
male patients with urinary (UI) and/or fecal incontinence (FI) based on the ICF
framework. As a result, this study contributes to the development of the ICFIncontinence
Assessment Form (ICF‐IAF), which is designed to be a
standardized planning and evaluation tool for interventions in a multidisciplinary
setting.

Methods:
A mixed‐method sequential design that places emphasis on the
quantitative approach was considered appropriate for this study. Focus group
interviews (FG) were chosen to collect data. Data were analysed with deductive
content analysis and themes identified during FG were linked to the most
corresponding ICF categories by two raters. Cohen's κ was calculated to
determine interrater reliability.

Results:
Four FG were conducted with a total of 13 male participants. The
mean age of the participants was 74.7 years. A total of 73 barriers and resources
on the second ICF level (body functions 26, body structures five, activities and
participation 26 and environmental factors 16), whereby four categories were
not sufficiently covered by the ICF, could be identified. The κ score for the two
raters was 0.82.

Conclusions:
While barriers are fundamental factors affecting patients, this
study found that resources are as important and should not be overlooked in the
conventional treatment in both UI and FI‐specific assessments.

KEYWORDS
assessment, patient outcomes, evaluation qualitative, evaluation quantitative, health holistic