An Overview of the ICF’s Use in Korea

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the overview of the use of the ICF in Korea. Methods: An integrative literature review from its publication in 2001 to May, 2015 was conducted; studies published from 2001 to May, 2015 were searched using RISS, KISS, DBpia, KoreaMed, PubMed, and ISI databases. For inclusion in the review, a study had to be published as a scientific article, must have participation of Korean researchers and developed in Korea, and should provide use of ICF. Results: A total of 108 publications were identified, and 89 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most eligible studies were related to clini cal fields (n=41) and areas with the disabled (n=32). Interestingly, several studies showed how to use and/or adapt ICF in clinical prac tice e.g. reviews and case studies, whereas in the area of the disabled, descriptive studies reported ICF concepts comparing with the cur rent disability policies and laws in Korea. The usage of ICF was found to be at various levels: introducing the ICF concept and model, col lecting data using the ICF checklist, coresets, as well as ICF codes itself and presenting results in the ICF framework, developing measure ment tools based on ICF concepts. Conclusion: Since introduction of the ICF in 2001, the use of the ICF in Korea has increased in different professionals as well as in levels of its applications.