Revisiting the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, a Comprehensive Model for Exploring Disablement in Low- and Middle-income Countries: A Narrative Overview

Abstract

Objectives: To overcome the inherent limitations of the medical and social models of disability, the World Health Organization developed the first international conceptualization of disability: the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). Despite the ICF’s robustness, it is still underutilized in research and practice in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). This article discusses the applications, strengths, limitations, and unique considerations when using the ICF to explore disabilities in LMICs like Nigeria. Methods: A literature search was conducted in Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, AMED, and Google Scholar. Articles were selected if they reported on any of the development, structure, applications, strengths, and limitations of the ICF. The review draws from the selected articles using a narrative discussion. Results: The literature search yielded 22 articles that met the eligibility criteria. The ICF is a classification of components of health and functioning, which views disability as an outcome of a dynamic interaction between a person’s health condition and contextual factors. The ICF was developed cross-culturally; thus, it is applicable in various socio-environmental contexts. However, despite its comprehensiveness, the ICF is criticized for lack of clear theoretical underpinnings, overlapping and redundant components, and absence of systematized personal factors. Discussion: The ICF has brought a significant paradigm shift in the measurement of disability by explicitly recognizing the role of contextual factors in the incapacitation process and placing all health conditions on an equal footing. Hence, stakeholders in disability research and practice in LMICs need to prioritize the ICF over other disablement models.

Меѓународна Класификација На Функционирање, Инвалидност И Здравје: Возрасни Лица Со Оштетување На Видот

“…Со вклучување на овие димензии, МКФ промовира сеопфатно разбирање на попреченоста и функционирањето, земајќи ги предвид здравствената состојба на поединецот, неговата активност и учество, како и еколошките и личните фактори кои можат или да го олеснат или попречат функционирањето (СЗО, 2001). Водечките концепти на МКФ се универзалност, паритет, неутралност и свесност за контекстот (Sulaiman et al, 2021).…”

International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: Adults With Visual Impairment

“…By including these various dimensions, the ICF promotes a holistic understanding of disability and functioning, considering the interactions between an individual's health condition, their activities and participation, and the environmental and personal factors that can either facilitate or hinder their functioning (WHO, 2001). Universality, parity, neutrality, and awareness of context are the guiding concepts of the ICF (Sulaiman et al, 2021).…”