Advantages of an ICF-Based Approach in School Reintegration of Pediatric Brain Tumor Patients: The School Participation Scales (S-PS-24/7)

Thomas Pletschko, Sheena Gmoser, Linda Leeb, Agathe Schwarzinger, Irene Slavc, Ulrike Leiss

Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria..

DOI: 10.4236/jct.2013.44094                

Abstract

Survivors of pediatric central nervous system (CNS) cancer are at risk for long term sequelae concerning school participation. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to develop and evaluate a school-participation questionnaire for patients and parents based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The items of the School Participation Scales-24/7 (S-PS-24/7) meet different functions, activities and participation aspects, as well as environmental factors listed in the ICF, using everyday language. The study sample consisted of 48 pediatric brain tumor patients and their parents. Reliability scores for the S-PS-24/7 components were acceptable or high. For investigating validity, items were correlated with data from a neurocognitive assessment battery with promising results. This approach enables a description of educational outcome on a functional level instead of using global measures. This facilitates counseling of patients, parents and teachers with respect to academic achievement and specific intervention programs.

Keywords

Neurocognitive Outcome; School Reintegration; CNS-Tumors; Participation; ICF

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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