Tenth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

The International Classification of Diseases or ICD is the primary classification used in health systems around the world. Its sister classification, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health or ICF has significant potential to become the common global framework for organizing and communicating information around human functioning and disability. However, the ICF is not integrated into education and training in nearly all disciplines. As a result, clinicians are not properly prepared for practice and/or administration in health systems. Training on the ICF classification can facilitate preparation in working in health systems for clinical professionals across disciplines. The ICF contains codes relevant to Body Structures and Body Functions, Activities and Participation, and Environmental Factors. The ICF provides a useful framework, terminology, and classification to facilitate enhanced training about the full range of functioning and the interactive elements between functioning areas (health, mental health, psychological, social, etc.). Moreover, the use of a common language and system would be beneficial for information sharing and collaboration via inter-disciplinary teams. This paper provides an overview of the ICF framework and classification system. Clinical examples across disciplines are presented. Strategies for integrating the ICF in education and practice are discussed.