The Edmonton Functional Assessment Tool: further development and validation for use in palliative care

J Palliat Care. 2001 Spring;17(1):5-11.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the validity of the revised version of the Edmonton Functional Assessment Tool (EFAT-2), which was designed to measure physical impairment and functional performance of patients in palliative care. The EFAT-2 was administered to 275 patients on admission to an acute palliative care unit. Principal-components factor analysis was performed on the 10 items of the scale, and Cronbach's alpha was calculated to measure internal consistency. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out to compare the admission EFAT-2 scores of three groups of patients: (a) deceased on the unit, (b) transferred to a continuing care palliative unit, (c) discharged home. Two main factors were revealed: physical and non-physical (cognitive/affective). Pain was identified as an independent item and did not correlate with any other item. Cronbach's alpha was 0.86. The ANOVA was significant (F [2,267] 29.063, p < 0.001). The results suggest that the EFAT-2 measures one construct. They also suggest that the EFAT-2 is able to discriminate between palliative care patients based on discharge location.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living*
  • Affect
  • Aged
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Cognition
  • Discriminant Analysis
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Health Status Indicators*
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Mental Health*
  • Middle Aged
  • Observer Variation
  • Pain Measurement
  • Patient Discharge
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Psychometrics
  • Rehabilitation / methods*
  • Rehabilitation / standards
  • Terminal Care / methods*
  • Terminal Care / psychology
  • Terminal Care / standards