Case studies to describe the Implementation of the ICF in rehabilitation practice

Background
In 2001 the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) was approved by the World Health Assembly. Since then all member states are asked to implement the ICF in different fields as a statistical-, research-, social policy-, clinical- and educational tool. The need for approaches of how to apply the ICF in clinical practice is constantly growing. One first approach to integrate the ICF into rehabilitation processes has been the development of ICF Core Sets.

To apply the ICF and ICF Core Sets in rehabilitation practice ICF tools needed to be developed. These tools aim to facilitate the understanding and descriptions of the individual's functioning in rehabilitation management and provide an ICF based documentation which contributes to multidisciplinary team approaches. To illustrate the use of these ICF tools in rehabilitation practice the case studies project was initi-ated in the Swiss Paraplegic Research (SPR) in October 2006. The Swiss Paraplegic Research aims to contribute to optimal functioning and social integration, health and quality of life of people with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) through clinical and community oriented research (www.paranet.ch/sw39033.asp).

Methods - Case studies

The aims of the Case study project are
- to illustrate the use of ICF tools in a structured rehabilitation management based on the Rehab-Cycle
- to demonstrate problems and resources of patients with SCI
- to demonstrate a patient-oriented rehabilitation approach based on the individ-ual's perspective suffering from SCI

In the project, persons suffering from SCI by different reasons and varying in age, gender, cause and severity of disease, are accompanied and monitored during a specific time in a specific rehabilitation phase. Since patients with SCI and the in-volved health professionals are faced with a lot of physical, psychological and social challenges, the Case studies aim to cover a broad spectrum of these challenges, from biological to psychological and environmental aspects. To satisfy the broad spectrum altogether 20 cases will be described and published on a publicly available website.

The use of ICF tools (namely ICF Assessment Sheet, the ICF Categorical Profile, ICF Intervention table and ICF Evaluation display) is illustrated in the steps of the rehabili-tation processes (assessment, assignment, intervention and evaluation) in each of the cases. Additional information about the ICF and the ICF tools is also available at the website.

To foster an educational approach the readers of the website are invited to check their knowledge about the ICF and SCI within answering open questions and specific quizzes.

The website is open to public access; the first four cases are already uploaded:

www.icf-casestudies.org

For more information please contact Alexandra Rauch