Why we use the ICF in disability and rehabilitation research

• It is a world standard, based on worldwide testing, including involvement of people with disabilities.
• The ICF is suitable for use in community based life and care, and across multi-disciplinary care.
• Its use is burgeoning in practice and in the research literature. Students use it at universities, for instance for analysing complex cases.
• Using consistent language and concepts helps information from different systems to complement, compare and build knowledge. Synergy is enabled between different information systems - surveys, research, health records.
• The ICF can be used to underpin continuity of care, case planning, monitoring of progress, and outcomes evaluation. It is consistent with an approach to care and treatment that is person-centred, a partnership, and holistic.