Unlike the approach used in developing the other ICF Core Sets, the Generic Set (sometimes called Minimal Generic Set) was developed from a psychometrics study. The Generic Set is composed of seven 2nd level categories (click here) from the ICF components Body Functions and Activities and Participation which have been statistically determined to be the generally applicable across health conditions and contexts. As such, the Generic Set can be used for a very brief description of functioning. Because of its general applicability, it is strongly recommended that the ICF categories from the Generic Set should be included every time an ICF Core Set, Brief or Comprehensive is used. This will ensure the data collected in a clinical setting for assessment purposes has the widest applicability for other purposes, including health statistics, health services planning and research.

The impact of accidents, injuries, and health conditions that prevent workers from engaging in employment is a major issue in the area of work disability. Vocational rehabilitation (VR) aim to facilitate return-to-work process but there is no universal description of functioning for patients who participate in VR. To tackle this issue, the Swiss Accident/Injury Insurance (SUVA) funded a project to develop an ICF-based Core Set to describe the functioning and health of individuals who participate in multidisciplinary VR. The project was a collaborative effort between the ICF Research Branch, World Health Organisation (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT), World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), and the International Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ISPRM). A Local Advisory Group made up of individuals from the study centres and a patient advocacy group contributed greatly to the success of the project.