Past and future use of the ICF (former ICIDH) by nursing and allied health professionals

Purpose: This study describes the use of the ICIDH by allied health professionals and the nursing professions in The Netherlands. It is an example for showing how in recent years the application of the ICIDH has developed within professions. The data elements of patient descriptors documented by nurses and allied health professionals using the ICIDH, as a shared terminology, are presented. Method: The study contains an overview of former and present application of the ICIDH and a systematic description of (possible) use of the ICIDH and its successor, the ICF. Results and conclusion: Although former and present use prove to be valuable, the level of detail needed for a richer description of the functioning of a patient does not yet exist within the ICIDH nor within the ICF. This and other arguments are given for the innovation process of the ICF and the need for the development of a (multidisciplinary) clinical modification, the ICF-CM.