Article

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and
Health (ICF) covers all aspects and levels of human functioning. Objectives: The
aim of the study was to find out whether the ICF can be used in everyday
prosthetics and orthotics (P&O) clinical practice for description of human
functioning, and whether it can demonstrate the influence of a prosthesis or an
orthosis on a person's functioning. Study Design: Prospective clinical study.
Methods: A short list of ICF codes was compiled from Annex 9 and used for one
month for all patients seen at the author's P&O outpatient clinics. Results: One
hundred patients (59 men, average age 58 years) with different medical problems
were included in the study. From 6 to 27 (14 on average) ICF categories from all
four components of ICF were used in these patients. The most frequently used
category for body functions was mobility of joint functions, for body structures
it was structure of the skin and for activities and participation it was walking.
Public and private buildings were the only barriers identified. Conclusions: It
can be concluded that the ICF can be used in everyday P&O clinical practice. An
ICF list of categories provides quick additional information. To be able to
demonstrate the influence of P&O devices on person's functioning, at least for
activities and participation, one has to use qualifiers. Clinical relevance For
clinicians it is important to know that it is possible to use the ICF in clinical
practice and that it can demonstrate the impact of P&O devices on a person's
functioning.

Langue : ANGLAIS