Methodologies used in the development of the international classification of functioning, disability and health core sets: a systematic scoping review
6 affiliations
- 1Amsterdam UMC Locatie AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- 2Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- 3Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- 4Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Gavere - asper, Belgium
- 5Ghent University Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent, Flanders, Belgium
- 6Ophthalmology, Amsterdam UMC Locatie VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Abstract
Objectives: To systematically examine the methodologies used in the development of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Sets (CSs) across all developmental phases, and to identify methodological variation in stakeholder involvement, geographical representation, consensus procedures and validation approaches to inform the future development of ICF CSs.
Design: Scoping review conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and Joanna Briggs Institute methodological guidance.
Setting: Literature published between January 2001 and July 2024. Publications were identified through PubMed, supplemented by reference list screening and author contact where necessary.
Participants: We identified 170 relevant publications related to the development, validation and implementation, covering 34 CS across diverse health conditions. Eligible publications comprised preparatory studies (eg, systematic reviews, patient perspective studies, expert surveys), protocol/discussion papers, consensus conference reports, validation and implementation studies.
Results: Most publications originated from Europe. The comprehensive CS averaged 97 ICF categories (SD 29) and the brief CS 26 (SD 12). In 38% of the studies, the focus was only on validity research. Variations were observed in patient and expert involvement during development. Considerable variation was observed in stakeholder involvement, geographical representation, consensus procedures and validation approaches across developmental phases.
Conclusion: This review demonstrates substantial methodological diversity in ICF CS development across the different phases. While the developmental framework proposed by Selb et al was generally reflected across studies, considerable variation existed in how developmental phases were operationalised. Future ICF CS developments may benefit from stakeholder involvement, more balanced geographical representation, and continued attention to validation and implementation activities.
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BibTeX
@article{billiet2026methodologies,
title = {{Methodologies used in the development of the international classification of functioning, disability and health core sets: a systematic scoping review}},
author = {Lorenzo Billiet and Stijn De Baets and Dominique Van de Velde and Ruth M A van Nispen and Hilde P A van der Aa},
journal = {BMJ Open},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1136/bmjopen-2026-123955},
url = {https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-123955},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Methodologies used in the development of the international classification of functioning, disability and health core sets: a systematic scoping review
AU - Lorenzo Billiet
AU - Stijn De Baets
AU - Dominique Van de Velde
AU - Ruth M A van Nispen
AU - Hilde P A van der Aa
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/05
JO - BMJ Open
DO - 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-123955
UR - https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-123955
AB - Objectives: To systematically examine the methodologies used in the development of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Sets (CSs) across all developmental phases, and to identify methodological variation in stakeholder involvement, geographical representation, consensus procedures and validation approaches to inform the future development of ICF CSs. Design: Scoping review conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and Joanna Briggs Institute methodological guidance. Setting: Literature published between January 2001 and July 2024. Publications were identified through PubMed, supplemented by reference list screening and author contact where necessary. Participants: We identified 170 relevant publications related to the development, validation and implementation, covering 34 CS across diverse health conditions. Eligible publications comprised preparatory studies (eg, systematic reviews, patient perspective studies, expert surveys), protocol/discussion papers, consensus conference reports, validation and implementation studies. Results: Most publications originated from Europe. The comprehensive CS averaged 97 ICF categories (SD 29) and the brief CS 26 (SD 12). In 38% of the studies, the focus was only on validity research. Variations were observed in patient and expert involvement during development. Considerable variation was observed in stakeholder involvement, geographical representation, consensus procedures and validation approaches across developmental phases. Conclusion: This review demonstrates substantial methodological diversity in ICF CS development across the different phases. While the developmental framework proposed by Selb et al was generally reflected across studies, considerable variation existed in how developmental phases were operationalised. Future ICF CS developments may benefit from stakeholder involvement, more balanced geographical representation, and continued attention to validation and implementation activities.
SN - 2044-6055
SN - 2044-6055
ER -