Letter To Editor

Utilization of Extended International Classification of Functioning Core Set for Stroke Patients

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By Roohi Abbas1, Samreen Sadiq1, Arshad Nawaz Malik2

 

AFFILIATIONS:

  1. Lahore College of Physical Therapy, Lahore Medical and Dental College (LMDC).
  2. Riphah College of Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.

 

DOI:https://doi.org/10.36283/PJMD10-2/020 

Dear Editor,

Today, in the era of quality health care services, physical therapy plays paramount role in reducing sufferings of patients and maximizing their movement potential1. As a physical therapist, one should possess sound clinical decision-making skills, is able to incorporate patient management model and can use latest evidence-based strategies during therapist patient interface, Therefore, a classification system or common terminology is required which is reliable and clinically pragmatic1. International Classification of Function (ICF) model has been endorsed by World health assembly in 2001and by American Physical Therapy Association in 2005 not only as a system of classification but also as a standardized assessment tool but since ICF model is very comprehensive as it contains more than1400 categories. ICF core sets for specific health conditions have been established which are concise practicable catalogue that expresses efficiently different aspects of functioning and dysfunctioning and are currently being used internationally at many platforms2.

In Pakistan, Shaheen Pasha was the first one to introduce ICF in the special education to address the special demands of children with disabilities, as she believed the categories of function explained by ICF are of utmost importance in meeting the needs of Special pediatric population according to their level of function and dysfunction3. She brought into notice the unavailability of regiment protocols or methods in Pakistan to asses any child’s level of disability and their functioning. She appealed to the government authorities to take some steps in introducing international classification of function in our health care system especially in special education department in order to improve the quality of services they provide to the children with special needs3.

When it comes to the neurological rehabilitation, much has been done internationally on ICF core sets implementation for various neurological conditions like cerebral palsy and stroke4. As we all know stroke places huge disease burden and the incidence of Stroke especially in the people, belonging to age group of 45 to 65 years is up to ten times greatest in south Asian countries like Pakistan, India, and China compared to the European countries5. The ICF Core Sets for stroke have been widely used in assessment and measuring outcomes of rehabilitation internationally and are validated for their responsiveness in a large number of studies. Unfortunately, in our settings, our knowledge regarding ICF categories and core set is limited therefore; we need to validate these core sets in our setting to determine their applicability.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We appreciate the support of the Lahore College of Physical Therapy, Lahore Medical and Dental College (LMDC) and Riphah College of Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

AUTHORS’ CONTRIBUTION

All authors contributed equally in the manuscript writing.

REFERENCES

  1. Atkinson HL, Nixon-Cave K. A tool for clinical reasoning and reflection using the international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF) framework and patient management model. Phys Ther. 2011;91(3):416-430.
  2. Escorpizo R, Stucki G, Cieza A, Davis K, Stumbo T, Riddle DL. Creating an interface between the international classification of functioning, disability and health and physical therapist practice. Phys Ther. 2010;90(7):1053-1063.
  3. Pasha S. Scope of ICF in special education in Pakistan. J Res. 2009;3(1):34-48.
  4. Schiariti V, Longo E, Shoshmin A, Kozhushko L, Besstrashnova Y, Król M, et al. Implementation of the international classification of functioning, disability, and health (ICF) core sets for children and youth with cerebral palsy: global initiatives promoting optimal functioning. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(9):1-19.
  5. Hashmi M, Khan M, Wasay M. Growing burden of stroke in Pakistan: a review of progress and limitations. Int J Stroke. 2013;8(7):575-581.