Using a multidisciplinary classification in nursing: the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health.

Aim: This paper reports a study to explore systematically the usefulness of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health to nurses giving patient care.

Background: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health has a history of more than 20 years. Although this World Health Organization classification offers multidisciplinary use, nurses are not familiar with it.

Past and future use of the ICF (former ICIDH) by nursing and allied health professionals.

Purpose: This study describes the use of the ICIDH by allied health professionals and the nursing professions in The Netherlands. It is an example for showing how in recent years the application of the ICIDH has developed within professions. The data elements of patient descriptors documented by nurses and allied health professionals using the ICIDH, as a shared terminology, are presented.