Development of an instrument for measuring the work functioning of persons with epilepsy in clinical settings

Abstract

Objective: To describe the development process of the Work Functioning Assessment for Epilepsy (WOFAE), an instrument recently developed in Brazil for measuring the work functioning of persons with epilepsy (PwE) in clinical settings, and to evaluate to what extent this instrument is in line with existing generic and epilepsy-specific tools used to measure general and work functioning.

Methods: The development process included four phases: the content development, based on a literature review and using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a reference framework; a preliminary field test, conducted with 20 PwE; an expert consultation, applying the Delphi Method; and the mapping and content comparison of the WOFAE to other five functioning assessments, using the ICF linking rules.

Results: The WOFAE containing 46 items structured into eight domains was developed in an evidence-based and participatory process. It is broader in terms of body functions and environmental factors than the other functioning assessments.

Conclusion: It is a useful tool to guide multidisciplinary interventions, measure clinical progress and assess disability for the granting of social benefits and retirement pensions of PwE. The future phases consist of revision and psychometric analyses of the instrument to ensure its validity and reliability.

Keywords: Employment; International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health; Patient outcome assessment; Patient reported outcome measures; Surveys and questionnaires.