eVITAL: A Preliminary Taxonomy and Electronic Toolkit of Health-Related Habits and Lifestyle

Abstract

Objectives. To create a preliminary taxonomy and related toolkit of health-related habits (HrH) following a person-centered approach with a focus on primary care. Methods. From 2003–2009, a working group (n = 6 physicians) defined the knowledge base, created a framing document, and selected evaluation tools using an iterative process. Multidisciplinary focus groups (n = 29 health professionals) revised the document and evaluation protocol and participated in a feasibility study and review of the model based on a demonstration study with 11 adult volunteers in Antequera, Spain. Results. The preliminary taxonomy contains 6 domains of HrH and 1 domain of additional health descriptors, 3 subdomains, 43 dimensions, and 141 subdimensions. The evaluation tool was completed by the 11 volunteers. The eVITAL toolkit contains history and examination items for 4 levels of engagement: self-assessment, basic primary care, extended primary care, and specialty care. There was positive feedback from the volunteers and experts, but concern about the length of the evaluation. Conclusions. We present the first taxonomy of HrH, which may aid the development of the new models of care such as the personal contextual factors of the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) and the positive and negative components of the multilevel person-centered integrative diagnosis model.

Lessons learned from different approaches towards classifying personal factors

“…These added content areas should be further examined and discussed with regards to their fit with the conceptualization of PF and the ICF. Stephens & Kerr [9,10] Ueda & Okawa [11,12] Heerkens & Ravensberg [13,14] Badley [15] Viol et al [16] Grotkamp et al [17][18][19] Ng & Khan [23] Salvador-Carulla [20] Structure of categorization: Number of entries overall 54 130 73 61 546 82 48 240 Number entries at 1st level a 5 6 5 3 7 6 7 7 2nd level b -70 68 5 36 54 -43 3rd level c ---7 199 23 -141 4th level ----210 --49 5th level ----68 ---6th level ---- Ueda & Okawa [11,12] Heerkens & van Ravensberg [13,14] Badley [15] Viol [16] Grotkamp et al [17][18][19] Ng & Khan [23] Salvador-Carulla et al …”

“…Salvador-Carulla et al [20] consider PF from a clinical-epidemiological perspective and argue that it is important for the development of targeted prevention and intervention programs to assess multiple risk factors of mortality and disease, especially health-related habits and lifestyle of the person. Based on working group discussions, multidisciplinary focus groups and a feasibility study, the authors present a taxonomy for health-related habits and related determinants of longevity.…”

“…Coping is described as changing the meaning of hearing loss, including psychological responses, such as social comparison, the acquisition of new skills, self-image, using hearing loss to one's advantage; finding fulfilment through association with new social groups. Stephens et al [9,10] Ueda & Okawa, [11,12] Heerkens et al [13,22] Badley [15] Viol et al [16] Grotkamp et al [17][18][19] Ng & Khan [23] Salvador-Carulla et al [20] Field of development: …”

“…Today, different suggestions towards a classification of PF exist: PF in audiological rehabilitation [9,10], PF as the subjective dimension of functioning and disability [11,12], PF in work [13,14], inherent and acquired PF [15], PF in individual sociomedical expertise [16], PF referring to individual-centeredness [17][18][19], PF in motor neuron disease (MND) and PF as healthrelated habits and lifestyle [20]. Now questions arise, such as, is there a common ground between the different suggestions of PF categorizations that already exist?…”

Basic Concepts in the Taxonomy of Health-Related Behaviors, Habits and Lifestyle

“…The Spanish Association for the Scientific Study of Healthy Aging ( Asociación Española para el Estudio Científico del Envejecimiento Saludable , AECES ), has recently developed a preliminary taxonomy and a related toolkit for the evaluation of HrH applicable in primary care [17]. The objective of this paper is to represent the different aspects of the basic concepts (metacategories, categories and other relevant concepts) which are assumed to constitute the conceptual framework enabling us to interpret and organize the field of Health-related Habits for clinical practice, research and health policy.…”