This metadata item contributes to the definition of the concept 'Disability' and gives an indication of the experience of disability for a person.

In the context of health, participation is involvement in a life situation. Participation restrictions are problems an individual may experience in involvement of life situations.

This metadata item may be used to describe the extent of participation in life situations for an individual with a health condition. The standard or norm to which an individual's participation is compared is that of an individual without a similar health condition in that particular society. The participation restriction records the discordance between the experienced participation and the expected participation of an individual without a health condition. The definition of 'particular society' is not specified and will inevitably give rise to different interpretations. If limiting the interpretation, it will be necessary to state the factors which are taken into account, for example, age, gender, ethnicity, religion, education, locality (town, state, rural, remote, urban).

The user will select the code that most closely summarises, in terms of duration, frequency, manner or outcome, the level of participation of the person for whom the data is recorded.

CODE 0     Full participation

Used when the person participates in this life area in the same way in terms of duration, frequency, manner or outcome as other individuals without a similar health condition in that particular society

CODE 1     Mild participation restriction

Used for example, when the person is restricted in their participation less than 25% of the time, and/or with a low alteration in functioning which may happen occasionally over the last 30 days

CODE 2    Moderate participation restriction 

Used for example, when the person is restricted in their participation between 26% and 50% of the time with a significant, and/or with a moderate effect on functioning (Up to half the total scale of performance) which may happen regularly over the last 30 days

CODE 3     Severe participation restriction

Used for example, when participation in this life area can be achieved, but only rarely and/or with an extreme effect on functioning which may happen often over the last 30 days

CODE 4     Complete participation restriction

Used when the person can not participate in this life area. This scale has a margin of error of 5%

CODE 8     Not specified

Used when a person's participation in a life area is restricted but there is insufficient information to use codes 0-4

CODE 9     Not applicable

Used when participation in a life area is not relevant, such as employment for an infant.