Using the ICF to clarify team roles and demonstrate clinical reasoning in stroke rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE
The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is advocated as a tool to structure rehabilitation and a universal language to aid communication, within the multi-disciplinary team (MDT). The ICF may also facilitate clarification of team roles and clinical reasoning for intervention. This article aims to explore both factors in stroke rehabilitation.


METHODS
Following a review of the literature, a summary was presented and discussed with clinicians working within stroke rehabilitation, to gather expert opinions. The discussions were informal, being part of service development and on-going education. The clinicians summarised key themes for the potential use of the ICF within clinical practice.


RESULTS
Two key themes emerged from the literature and expert opinion for the potential use of the ICF in stroke rehabilitation: (i) to aid communication and structure service provision, (ii) to clarify team roles and aid clinical reasoning. Expert opinion was that clarification of team roles needs to occur at a local level due to the skill mix, particular interests, setting and staffing levels within individual teams. The ICF has the potential to demonstrate/facilitate clinical reasoning, especially when different MDT members are working on the same intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
There is potential for the ICF to be used to clarify team roles and demonstrate clinical reasoning within stroke rehabilitation. Further experiential research is required to substantiate this view.
Tempest
Stephanie
S
Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences and Social Care, Brunel University, Middlesex, UK. stephanie.tempest@brunel.ac.uk
McIntyre
Anne
A
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification*; D003144:Communication Barriers; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024382:Professional Role; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D006113:United Kingdom; D018875:Vocabulary, Controlled