scholarly journals Ontological modeling of the International Classification of Functioning, Disabilities and Health (ICF): Activities&Participation and Environmental Factors components

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Cozzi ◽  
Andrea Martinuzzi ◽  
Vincenzo Della Mea

Abstract Background The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is a classification of health and health-related states developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide a standard and unified language to be used as a reference model for the description of health and health-related states. The concept of functioning on which ICF is based is that of a “dynamic interaction between a person’s health condition, environmental factors and personal factors”. This overall model has been translated into a classification covering all the main components of functioning. However, the practical use of ICF has highlighted some formal problems, mainly concerning conceptual clarity and ontological coherence. Methods In the present work, we propose an initial ontological formalization of ICF beyond its current status, focusing specifically on the interaction between activities and participation and environmental factors. The formalization has been based on ontology engineering methods to drive goal and scope definition, knowledge acquisition, selection of an upper ontology for mapping, conceptual model definition and evaluation, and finally representation using the Ontology Web Language (OWL). Results A conceptual model has been defined in a graphical language that included 202 entities, when possible mapped to the SUMO upper ontology. The conceptual model has been validated against 60 case studies from the literature, plus 6 ad-hoc case studies. The model has been then represented using OWL. Conclusions This formalization might provide the basis for a revision of the ICF classification in line with current efforts made by WHO on the International Classification of Diseases and on the International Classification of Health Interventions.

Author(s):  
Diane Playford

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), provides a framework for the description of health and health-related states and offers a biopsychosocial model of disability. The ICF was introduced by the World Health Organization in 1999 as a response to the conceptual and practical difficulties posed by its predecessor, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. The ICF lists body functions and structure, and activity and participation. The relationship between impairment, activity, and participation is not linear, and can be further moderated by contextual factors, including personal and environmental factors. There are a wide range of potential applications of the ICF.It has been adopted most widely within rehabilitation services to describe individual functioning, but can also be used at a service and national policy level to describe, monitor, and evaluate different activities.This chapter outlines the use of the ICF, considers its strengths, and highlights its function in a range of settings.


2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (03) ◽  
pp. 170-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. B. Üstün ◽  
N. Kostanjsek

SummaryA common framework for describing health and health related states is needed in order to make this information comparable and of value. The World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), which has been approved by all its member states, provides this common language and framework. The article provides an overview of the ICF taxonomy, introduces the conceptual model which underpins the ICF and elaborates on how the ICF is used at population and clinical level. Furthermore, the article presents key features of the ICF tooling environment and outlines current and future developments of the classification, in particular the conceptual and operational alignment of ICF and ICD in the context of the ongoing ICD revision process. Finally, the paper examines the formulation of disability in the diagnosis of mental disorders in ICD and DSM and argues for separate operational assessment of disability through the ICF and ICF based assessment instruments such as the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0).


Author(s):  
E. Diane Playford

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a framework for the description of health and health-related states and offers a biopsychosocial model of disability. The ICF was introduced by the World Health Organization in 1999 as a response to the conceptual and practical difficulties posed by its predecessor, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. The ICF lists body functions and structure, and activity and participation. The relationship between impairment, activity, and participation is not linear, and can be further moderated by contextual influences, including personal and environmental factors. There are a wide range of potential applications of the ICF. It has been adopted most widely within rehabilitation services to describe individual functioning, but can also be used at a service and national policy level to describe, monitor, and evaluate different activities. This chapter outlines the use of the ICF, considers its strengths, and highlights its function in a range of settings.


Author(s):  
Shih-Wei Huang ◽  
Yi-Wen Chen ◽  
Reuben Escorpizo ◽  
Chun-De Liao ◽  
Tsan-Hon Liou

Osteoarthritis is one of the leading causes of disability. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a surgical intervention for patients with severe osteoarthritis. Post TKA rehabilitation is crucial for improving patient’s quality of life. However, traditional rehabilitation has only focused on physical function; a systemic analysis of other dimensions such as social participation and environmental factors of post TKA rehabilitation is lacking. The aim of this study was to develop a core set from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to create a comprehensive rehabilitation program for patients with osteoarthritis post TKA. Before the Delphi-based consensus process, a literature review process was performed for related ICF categories selection. We used a three-round Delphi-based consensus among 20 physical therapists with orthopedic rehabilitation expertise in a university-based hospital. A five-point Likert scale was used to rate the importance of each item. The consensus of ratings was analyzed using Spearman’s rho and semi-interquartile range indices. The ICF core set for post TKA rehabilitation was determined based on a high level of consensus and a mean score of ≥4.0 in the third Delphi-based consensus round. The ICF core set comprised 32 categories, with 13 regarding body function, four regarding body structures, nine regarding activities and participation, four regarding environmental factors, and two regarding personal factors. Our ICF core set for post TKA rehabilitation can provide information on effective rehabilitation strategies and goal setting for patients post TKA. However, further validation and feasibility assessments are warranted.


Autism ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 136236132097531
Author(s):  
Karl Lundin ◽  
Soheil Mahdi ◽  
Johan Isaksson ◽  
Sven Bölte

Few studies have addressed gender differences in autism in relation to functioning and across cultures. We aimed to explore functional gender differences in autism from a multidisciplinary, global perspective using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. Perceptions among professionals in high-income countries and middle-income countries were examined based on qualitative survey data from N = 225 professionals. Of these, n = 131 professionals provided information on functional gender differences in autism. Thirty-two professionals reported perceiving no gender differences. Remaining respondents ( n = 99)—representing 31 countries, all World Health Organization regions, and 10 different professions—were included in a content analysis on functional gender differences, which generated three main categories and 13 subcategories. The subcategories were subsequently linked to International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health categories. Autistic males were described as displaying more externalizing behaviors, and females as having more internalizing problems and being more socially motivated. Thirty-two International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health categories were identified, of which 31 were covered by the comprehensive Core Set for autism. Gender differences in core symptoms and co-existing problems were acknowledged by professionals from both high-income countries and middle-income countries, while differences in social behaviors, including camouflaging, were more frequently described by experts from high-income countries. Lay abstract In this study, we explored if professionals working with autistic people in different regions of the world perceive differences between females and males diagnosed with the condition. A total of 131 professionals responded to a survey that included an open question about gender differences in autism. Of these, 32 responded that they do not perceive gender differences in autism. The information provided by the other 99 experts was analyzed to identify common patterns. Three main differences were found, (1) Matching the clinical conceptualization of autism where professionals described differences in core symptoms of autism, and that autistic females were less similar to the conceptualization of autism. In (2) Co-existing problems, professionals described that autistic males display more apparent problems including hyperactivity, while autistic females were perceived as having more internalizing issues such as anxiety and eating disorders. In the last category, (3) Navigating the social environment, experts perceived autistic females as more socially motivated, and more inclined to camouflage social difficulties, making their challenges less evident. Professionals also perceived differences in the social environment, for example, that autistic girls receive more support from their peers while autistic boys are more often bullied. Our results suggest that professionals working in different parts of the world acknowledge gender differences in autism, but also that there might be some regional differences. Finally, we found that gender differences reported by the international professionals could largely be assessed with a shortened version of the International Classification of Functioning by the World Health Organization, specifically developed for autism.


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