[The ICF classification system--a problem oriented inventory on behalf of the German Society of Rehabilitation Sciences]

Abstract

With the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, ICF and its adoption by the World Health Organization in May 2001, the concept of "functional health" reached a new dimension. Prepared and developed further over many years, the concept of a comprehensive and internationally consented classification system completed the shifting of paradigm in our notion of disease and disablement, bringing along far-reaching consequences for theory and practice in particular in rehabilitation. Symbolizing this paradigmatic shift, destigmatization, resource orientation, context factors, and participation are among the central notions of the concept. The ICF is a foundation for seeking international agreement across the bounds of disciplines and is amidst an intensive transfer and implementation process, also in Germany. Due to the multitude of actors and activities involved, it has become almost impossible even for those taking a strong interest in the matter to keep up with developments and fields of applications, let alone to achieve consensus in these respects. The German Society of Rehabilitation Sciences therefore initiated a problem-oriented stocktaking of the present situation. This article seeks to point out a number of important developments and trends in order to provide initial orientation and overview. The stocktaking is intended to contribute to further disseminating the ICF, at the same time however to outline several crucial fields of application and development. To be continued and deepened, this preliminary stocktaking underlines several core developments along with a number of conceptual issues still unresolved for the time being. Notwithstanding a high degree of acceptance of the concepts underlying the ICF, continued and, as far as possible, coordinated efforts toward implementation will be required at all levels.