The ICF model of functioning and disability: incorporating quality of life and human development.
OBJECTIVE
Since its 2001 publication, a number of issues have been raised about the ICF. The World Health Organization anticipated the ICF would undergo a continuous process of revision. This paper adds to this process.


METHODS
This article describes how the ICF framework shares a number of tenets with a systems perspective. An argument is built for why the ICF model of functioning and disability should be expanded to include the concepts of quality of life and human development. A modified model is presented that depicts a person's life quality and his/her potential for development as the outcomes and processes that arise from the interconnected, ever-changing influences of health, functioning and contextual factors.


CONCLUSIONS
A modified ICF model based on a systems perspective depicts a holistic view that acknowledges health, functioning, life quality and development are intertwined and are essential concepts to consider in the lives of all people.
McDougall
Janette
J
Thames Valley Children's Centre, Research, Ontario, Canada. janette.mcdougall@tvcc.on.ca
Wright
Virginia
V
Rosenbaum
Peter
P
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D014944:World Health Organization