Measurement properties of the Personal Care Participation Assessment and Resource Tool: a systematic review

Purpose: To systematically review research investigating measurement properties of the Personal Care Participation Assessment and Resource Tool (PC-PART), formerly the Handicap Assessment and Resource Tool (HART). Data sources: Seven databases were searched using (i) HART or PC-PART terms and (ii) known authors. Reference list searches, citation searches and author contact were secondary search methods. Study selection: Searches retrieved 492 articles. Those investigating at least one HART or PC-PART measurement property were selected. Three articles met review criteria. Secondary searching produced four additional studies. Data extraction: Two reviewers independently critiqued each article, using published quality criteria for (i) study methods and (ii) each measurement property. Results: There was positive evidence supporting content validity of the PC-PART in adult in-patient and community based, sub/acute health settings. Clinical utility was largely supported. There was inconclusive evidence for inter-rater reliability, construct validity and responsiveness. Conclusions: The PC-PART shows promise as a clinically relevant and useful assessment to aid decision making about admission or discharge from health care settings. Further research is needed to establish the PC-PART’s place in clinical practice across a range of patient groups and settings using sound methods to investigate structural validity, reliability, criterion validity, construct validity, clinical utility and responsiveness.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• The PC-PART was designed to assess patients’ participation restrictions in necessary Personal and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (PADL and IADL) for community living.

• The assessment may aid rehabilitation team decision making about priorities for intervention and readiness for discharge.

• Although there is strong evidence to support content validity, further testing of the PC-PART’s measurement properties is warranted to strengthen evidence to support its use.