M. Theil, Germany
Sanamens Praxisgemeinschaft Praxis Dr. med. Michael-Mark TheilModerator of 1 Session
Proposed by the EPA Section on Mental Health and Intellectual Disability -The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is a taxonomy of health and health-related domains. It provides a common language and framework for describing the level of functioning of a person within their unique environment. Furthermore, it helps to describe health problems of a person in line with the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). ICF aims to provide a patient-centred approach to the assessment and management of people with chronic health conditions, mental disorders and intellectual disabilities (ID) by defining individual therapeutic goals and monitoring functional outcomes. The ICF also plays an important role in psychiatric rehabilitation, describing health problems due to mental illnesses and neurodevelopmental disorders. ICF facilitates a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to assess an individual’s level of functioning and care. Use of a standardised classification system to assess and document biopsychosocial function helps to further support provision of high-quality individualised health and social care. Furthermore, ICF provides a standardised assessment instrument to determine individual functional needs for the care, rehabilitation and societal integration of individuals with disabilities which is a statutory requirement in many European countries. For example, in Germany, the revision of the Federal Participation Act (BTHG) requires the use of ICF as a standardised assessment instrument for determining individual functional needs of individuals with ID. Main objective of the workshop is to introduce the ICF and discuss its advantages and limitations in clinical practice, research, psychiatric treatment and care of individuals with ID and mental health problems.
Presenter of 2 Presentations
Live Q&A
W0088 - Why ICF? Advantages of ICF in the Clinical Practice with Regard to the Medical Care of People with Mental Health Problems and Intellectual Disabilities
ABSTRACT
Abstract Body
Introduction
The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a framework rooted in patient-centered care and the biopsychosocial model that facilitates a comprehensive description of a person’s health and their level of societal participation. The importance of the ICF for assessing the needs of individuals with mental health problems (MHP) and intellectual disabilities (ID) is growing, especially in the social medicine.
Objective
To describe the benefits and limitations of the ICF in clinical practice, pertaining to the assessment of healthcare needs and societal participation in persons with MHP and ID.
Method
Comprehensive literature search in medical databases using the keywords: ICF, mental health, intellectual disabilities, social and occupational participation.
Results
ICF-based instruments such as the Mini-ICF-APP, with which impairments and competencies in social and occupational participation can be described, are playing an increasingly important role in healthcare and rehabilitation. In Germany, for example, in accordance with the Federal Participation Act, the entitlement to disability support benefits is assessed using ICF-based instruments, which therefore play a decisive role in social medical care.
Conclusion
The functional descriptions of the ICF provide the opportunity for a standardized, yet individualized assessment of medical needs, general health and societal participation, thus facilitating the provision of a comprehensive package of care and support for people with disabilities. ICF-Core Sets and the Mini-ICF-APP are effective tools to describe level of function. It would be clinically valuable to further develop these instruments for use in persons with ID and MHP in the field of social medicine.