Is there evidence of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in undergraduate nursing students' patient assessments?

Abstract

This paper reports on a secondary analysis of undergraduate nursing students' patient assessments while on clinical placement in a rehabilitation setting in search of evidence of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). It describes the evolution of the original World Health Organization's International Classification of Impairment, Disability and Handicap into the ICF. Data was analysed using the ICF categories of function, activity, participation, environmental factors and personal factors. Some evidence of ICF was revealed. Nurses are encouraged to further explore the relevance of ICF for nursing.