ICF in rehabilitation

Rehabilitation medicine is defined as the multi- and interdisciplinary management of a person's functional health. Thus, the assessment of functional health is the basis for diagnosis, intervention and outcome evaluation in rehabilitation. The new WHO Framework - International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) - supplies the first global perspective to define functional health. Since the ICF takes into account biological, individual as well as social aspects of functional health, it has been accepted by the WHO member states as a mandatory framework for describing functional health from an integrative point of view. The ICF encompasses the following components: body structures and body functions, activities and participation, environmental factors and personal factors. Nevertheless, the clinical use of the ICF will depend on the improvement of its practicability, as well as on its compatibility with measures used in rehabilitation. ICF Core Sets are currently being developed in a collaborative project of our clinic with the WHO. ICF Core Sets can be defined as a selection of ICF categories. The ICF Core Sets will cover the prototypical spectrum of limitations in functioning and health encountered in a specific condition. The use of the ICF in clinical practice will be thereby facilitated. The ICF will certainly influence many different areas of rehabilitation and health services. ICF is an exciting landmark event for rehabilitation. It may lead to a stronger position of rehabilitation within the medical community and its position in health care.