Engaging with clinicians to implement and evaluate the ICF in neurorehabilitation practice.

Introduction: Although deemed a globally accepted framework, there remains scare evidence on the process and outcome of implementing the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) within neurorehabilitation.

Objectives: This review briefly explores the existing, broader literature and then reports on two action research projects, undertaken in England, specifically within stroke and neurorehabilitation. Working with participants, including clinicians from in-patient and community settings, there are now 35 different ways identified for the use of the ICF.

Enhanced clarity and holism: the outcome of implementing the ICF with an acute stroke multidisciplinary team in England.

Purpose: Although it is recommended that the ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health) should be implemented to aid communication within multidisciplinary stroke services, there is no empirical evidence to demonstrate the outcomes of such implementation. Working with one stroke service, this project aimed to address this gap and sought to evaluate the outcomes of implementing an ICF-based clinical tool into practice.

Method: Using an action research framework with mixed methods, data were collected from individual interviews, a focus group, questionnaires, email communications, minutes from relevant meetings and field notes.

To adopt is to adapt: the process of implementing the ICF with an acute stroke multidisciplinary team in England.

Purpose: The success of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) depends on its uptake in clinical practice. This project aimed to explore ways the ICF could be used with an acute stroke multidisciplinary team and identify key learning from the implementation process.

Method: Using an action research approach, iterative cycles of observe, plan, act and evaluate were used within three phases: exploratory; innovatory and reflective.

Two steps forward, one step back? A commentary on the disease-specific core sets of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Purpose: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) has been received favourably by health care professionals, disability rights organizations and proponents of the social model of disability. The success of the ICF largely depends on its uptake in practice and is considered unwieldy in its full format. To enhance the application of the ICF in practice, disease and site-specific core sets have been developed.

Using the ICF to clarify team roles and demonstrate clinical reasoning in stroke rehabilitation.

Purpose: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is advocated as a tool to structure rehabilitation and a universal language to aid communication, within the multi-disciplinary team (MDT). The ICF may also facilitate clarification of team roles and clinical reasoning for intervention. This article aims to explore both factors in stroke rehabilitation.