[The bio-psycho-social model and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health : Examples of using the model, its parts and the items].

BACKGROUND

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) can be used in practice in a variety of ways.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this work is to illustrate some of the most important ways of using the ICF and some aspects of their theoretical concepts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Database searches (PubMed, Rehadat, and Google Scholar) were conducted for studies concerning the use of the ICF in practice.

RESULTS

For all aspects of the ICF, and many of the intended ways of using it, there are concrete developments and examples or indications for their implementation into practice in different contexts. In particular, the common language and the bio-psycho-social model is widely accepted and applied in practice. At the level of chapters, there are a few developments and examples of practical applications of the ICF. When using the ICF based on Items, however, diverse developments of different theoretical and methodological quality are available.

CONCLUSION

The multitude of different adaptations of the ICF for practice illustrates the great effort to the implementation in practice. However, this also shows that no comprehensive solution to the satisfaction of concerned protagonists was found. Research is needed on the theoretical foundations of the ICF, capturing the current practice of using the ICF and in the creation of specific instructions for ways to use the ICF in practice.