The results supported the hypotheses and, thus, the construct validity of the COPM after surgery in people with hand conditions.

In this European Delphi study, multidisciplinary consensus was reached on 9 assessment tools for impairments and activity limitations in patients with hand conditions addressing 13 categories of the Brief ICF Core Set for Hand Conditions.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to explore whether assessment tools address aspects that are relevant according to the Brief ICF Core Set for Hand Conditions (BICF-CS). Methods: Assessment tools meant to assess functioning and/or environmental factors in adults with hand conditions were reviewed. MEDLINE and CINAHL databases, previously published reviews, the book Clinical Assessment Recommendations of the ASHT, and websites of assessment tools were used for the content comparison and linking to the 23 categories of the BICF-CS. The updated version of the linking rules was applied by two reviewers. Results: Forty-six assessment tools, known within the areas of hand therapy and hand surgery, were linked to the 23 categories of the BICF-CS. Regarding Body functions and body structures, the categories that were most frequently addressed were b730 ''Muscle power functions,'' b280 ''Sensation of pain,'' b710 ''Mobility of joint functions,'' and s730 ''Structure of upper extremity.'' Regarding Activities and Participation, d440 ''Fine hand use'' was addressed mostly and 25 assessment tools (with a total of 146 items) were linked to this category. Regarding Environmental Factors, only one assessment tool was identified that could be linked to two categories. Fifteen points of discussion were encountered in the linking process. Conclusions: Content comparison of 46 assessment tools revealed that 19 of the 23 categories of the BICF-CS were addressed. The environmental factors were hardly addressed.

Objective The aim of the conference was to derive the Brief and the Comprehensive International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Set for Hand Conditions from the subset of ICF categories selected on the basis of the preparatory phase research. Methods Following a multistage decision process, the experts agreed on the ICF categories to be included in the ICF Core Sets for Hand Conditions. The development of the ICF Core Sets for Hand Conditions involved a formal decision-making and consensus process, integrating evidence gathered from preparatory studies including a qualitative study, a systematic literature review, an expert survey and an empirical multicentre study. Results Twenty-three experts selected a total of 117 categories for the Comprehensive Core Set and 23 categories for the Brief Core Set. The largest number of categories was selected from the ICF component ‘Activities and Participation’. Conclusion The ICF Core Sets for Hand Conditions serve a clinical framework to comprehensively assess patients in acute care hospitals and early postacute rehabilitation facilities. The first versions of the ICF Core Sets will be further tested and validated through empirical studies.