THE FUNCTIONAL INDEPENDENCE MEASURE - A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF CLINICIAN AND SELF RATINGS

In recent years the Functional Independence Measure has emerged as a s tandard assessment instrument for use in rehabilitation and therapy pr ogrammes for disabled persons, including those with spinal cord injury (SCI). This measure was devised to be rated by a clinician familiar w ith the patient. We studied 40 spinal cord injury patients who were ra ted on the FIM by a clinician within the 6 weeks prior to discharge, a nd who then rated themselves on the FIM at one month post discharge. T here was a strong correlation between the differently rated scores. Th is suggests that the FIM can be given to patients as a self-report que stionnaire, thus reducing time of assessment and increasing assessment potential.