Which Contextual Factors of the ICF are Relevant for the Socio-Medical Assessment in the Con-Text of Disability Pension? Results of a Delphi Survey

Objective Person-related factors have been classified by the ICF working group of the German Society for Social Medicine and Prevention (DGSMP). Their consideration is required by the guidelines for socio-medical assessment, social law and the underlying biopsychosocial model. In the context of the socio-medical assessment for the disability pension for musculoskeletal diseases, this Delphi survey among experts was conducted to find a consensus on which of the personal and environmental factors are important.Materials & Methods An online Delphi survey was conducted in three waves to build consensus among experts in order to identify relevant ICF contextual factors in socio-medical assessment. In order to involve heterogeneous perspectives, persons from the fields of socio-medical assessment, social law, social medicine, science, physicians working in rehabilitation, psychologists working in rehabilitation and patient representatives were recruited.Results For the Delphi survey N=76 experts from the field of socio-medical assessment were recruited. 86 of 91 factors were rated by consensus, with an agreement of>80% of the participants, as relevant or very relevant for the socio-medical assessment. Only the factor sexual habits was rated as hardly relevant.Conclusion The most factors being rated as relevant are from the chapters on attitudes, competencies and habits and the chapter on living situation. It is particularly interesting that the experts were able to agree on these factors despite their great professional heterogeneity. This highlights the relevance of these contextual factors in the socio-medical assessment in the context of an assessment for a disability pension.

Automated summary

The Delphi survey aimed to find consensus on the personal and environmental factors relevant to the socio-medical assessment of musculoskeletal diseases.