Utilization of an ICF-based assessment from occupational therapists' perspectives

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is intended to provide a framework for practitioners. A client-centred ICF-based assessment (ICF-A) was developed to be used by occupational therapists in problem identification. The aim was to evaluate the ICF-based assessment (ICF-A) focusing on the examination of its utility on the basis of occupational therapists' perspectives regarding clinical relevance and potential for implementation. Eleven occupational therapists, most of whom worked in hospitals, performed in total 99 ICF-A based assessments and completed three self-reported questionnaires related to the utility of the ICF-A, resulting in a total of 121 questionnaires. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and directed content analysis. The results from this initial testing of ICF-A showed that its clinical relevance was considered low since ICF-A included too many categories. In addition, the time needed to perform the assessments decreased during the 10 assessment occasions. Furthermore, concerning its implementation potential, the client-centred approach in the ICF-A was rated as weak. The target group did not benefit from using ICF-A in a hospital context. Hence, an investigation of its utility among occupational therapists in community and primary care will be the next step in the development of the ICF-A.