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.
Method: Following a review of the literature, a summary was presented and
discussed with clinicians working within stroke rehabilitation, to gather expert
opinions. The discussions were informal, being part of service development and
on-going education. The clinicians summarised key themes for the potential use
of the ICF within clinical practice.
Results: Two key themes emerged from the literature and expert opinion for the
potential use of the ICF in stroke rehabilitation: i) to aid communication and
structure service provision ii) to clarify team roles and aid clinical reasoning.
Expert opinion was that clarification of team roles needs to occur at a local level
due to the skill mix, particular interests, setting and staffing levels within
individual teams. The ICF has the potential to demonstrate/ facilitate clinical
reasoning, especially when different MDT members are working on the same
intervention.
Conclusion: There is potential for the ICF to be used to clarify team roles and
demonstrate clinical reasoning within stroke rehabilitation. Further experiential
research is required to substantiate this vie
