The international classification for functioning, disability and health

Abstract

The rheumatologic community is in a leading position for the development of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Sets and the research into the validity and application of the ICF. We can be proud of this achievement, but not all of us are aware of this new development. What is the ICF? Rheumatologic conditions have major impact on patients. Apart from symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and fatigue, patients are limited in activities and restricted in participation in society [2]. When unable to continue paid work, for example, there are important consequences for the patients, their families, but also for society. A major goal of the management of rheumatic diseases is to maintain or restore functioning. This contributes to the well-being of the patients, their families, and other caregivers. It is clear that maintaining function requires more than control of disease activity. By using the ICF, which was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), we can obtain information on all three areas that are important for global functioning: body functions and structures, activities (actions by an individual), and participation (involvement in life situations) [3]. The ICF is one of the three reference classification systems that were proposed and developed by the WHO and belong to the Family of International Classifications. The main aim of the classification systems is to improve integration of health information. The International Classification of Diagnosis (ICD) is well known and widely applied [4]. The ICF was developed from the older International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps (ICIDH) and accepted in 2001 [3]. It is increasingly recognized as an important classification in clinical medicine, outcome research, and healthcare organization. The International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI) is proposed as the newest member of the family, and its development has just started [1]. The WHO aims to implement effectively the ICF worldwide and formulated strategic directions in which the three following are the most relevant: (1) The ICF has to become the framework to classify function, (2) easy-to-use ICF linked instruments should be developed to assess functional outcome as well as effectiveness of interventions, and (3) the level and quality of implementation of the ICF should be improved to increase quality and comparability Clin Rheumatol (2007) 26:1803–1808 DOI 10.1007/s10067-007-0623-0