The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health can be a useful tool in classifying and communicating aspects of patient functioning by nurses. A level of moderate detail within the Classification (three-digit level) seems appropriate for most nursing purposes. Our results on items that could be added or improved can serve as input in future revisions of the Classification. Future use of the International Classification should be encouraged, because of its relevance to nursing and its potential for multidisciplinary use in patient care.

Although former and present use prove to be valuable, the level of detail needed for a richer description of the functioning of a patient does not yet exist within the ICIDH nor within the ICF. This and other arguments are given for the innovation process of the ICF and the need for the development of a (multidisciplinary) clinical modification, the ICF-CM.