Use and Knowledge of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in clinical practice among Physiotherapists-A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: The ICF is based on a bio psychosocial approach suggesting that all users should document the impact of health conditions on human functioning from biological, individual and societal perspectives. ICF is named as it is because of its focus on the health and functioning; rather than the disability. In spite of the high relevance of ICF that expands beyond clinical practice, and the existence of recommendation and/or regulations of higher instances, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) the use of ICF by physiotherapists is still incipient and limited. There is conceptual application of the ICF to clinical practice which is evident from various previous article, but a well-defined documented approach of ICF in physical therapy yet remains a challenge. Therefore, the current study is being undertaken.

Method: Ethical committee approval was obtained, an observational cross-sectional study was done, a self-constructed questionnaire was prepared and validated, and data collection was conducted amongst 82 clinical physiotherapists by convenient sampling in an urban city passed out with MUHS undergraduate and / or post graduate degree or PhD degree, not allied with academic institute’s candidates with /without ICF in their curriculum.

Result: The results of this study revealed that 76.8% of the physiotherapist have studied ICF in their university curriculum. According to the study 48.78% of the therapist have detailed knowledge regarding the ICF. And 47.56% of the physiotherapist use ICF regularly in their clinical practice.

Conclusion: The study concluded that despite studying ICF in their university curriculum most of the physiotherapist lack the detailed knowledge regarding ICF and the use of ICF is underutilized, thus the use of ICF should be encouraged in the clinical practice by the physiotherapists.