Community Rehabilitation for Rural and Remote Australia: Measuring What Matters Based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF): A Scoping Review

Abstract

Objective

To review the quantitative outcome measures that have been used to evaluate community rehabilitation services delivered across rural and remote Australia.

Design

A scoping review was completed and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for Scoping Reviews.

Methods

Peer-reviewed, original research published between January 2010–September 2023 was searched using MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane database, Joanna Briggs Library, PsychINFO, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Studies were selected if they involved allied health outpatient, subacute or nonacute services for Australian rural or remote dwelling populations. Participants were required to have an underlying impairment. Face-to-face or telehealth delivery in a rural and remote location was included. Measures were identified and then mapped to the ICF domains of activity and participation, as well as quality of life.

Results

A total of 27 studies were included that yielded 40 different outcome measures of activity, participation and/or quality of life. Few measures, however, were used consistently across studies, and even fewer demonstrated a significant change across more than one study. Most studies evaluated single interventions, and few studies evaluated the service model as a whole.

Conclusion

To ensure robust evaluation of community rehabilitation services in rural and remote Australia, a core data set and common framework for evaluation of community rehabilitation services is required. The evaluation framework must ensure consistency in measurement that reflects rural and remote service models and takes into account the environment in which services are delivered.