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The World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Classification of Health and Functioning Framework revisited: A tool with clinical, research, and educational utility for counselors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 December 2019

Deirdre O’Sullivan Open the ORCID record for Deirdre O’Sullivan [Opens in a new window] ,
Antoinette Cambria ,
Yi Xiao  and
Hsiao-Ying Vicki Chang
Deirdre O’Sullivan*
Affiliation:
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
Antoinette Cambria
Affiliation:
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
Yi Xiao
Affiliation:
Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
Hsiao-Ying Vicki Chang
Affiliation:
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
*
*Corresponding author. Email: Dmo11@psu.edu
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Abstract

The WHO’s (2001) International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) model conceptualizes health from an ecological perspective. It has been implemented by many professionals as the standard health classification framework that guides providers’ decisions regarding assessment tools and targeted interventions. Despite this model’s prevalence among many healthcare providers, the ICF framework remains largely underutilized by many in the counseling fields. This conceptual paper provides an overview of the strengths of the ICF model and ICF-based measurements, and demonstrates its clinical, research, and educational value. A case study is presented to guide counselors and counselor educators through application of the ICF model in various contexts to encourage expanded use of the model. Use of the ICF model among counseling professionals, educators, and researchers is recommended as one way to enhance measurement of clinical outcomes.

Keywords

AssessmentICFclient conceptualizationhealthmeasurement
Type
Articles
Information
The Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling , Volume 25 , Issue 2 , December 2019 , pp. 122 - 137
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2019 

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