title: What would Darwin say? A historical perspective on the next steps in developing a rehabilitation classification system.
abstract: This article uses a historical framework to review the rehabilitation treatment taxonomy (RTT). The needs and challenges in creating a comprehensive classification system for rehabilitation treatments are identified based on review of (1) the development of other biological classification systems and (2) the historical foundations for rehabilitation and related theoretical underpinnings. The historical overview is used to identify needs for refining the RTT, including (1) changes needed in the structure of the RTT to address the varied roles of environmental factors in the rehabilitation treatment process, (2) changes needed to link the RTT with clinical documentation and third-party reimbursement, and (3) revisions in the nomenclature for the RTT to enhance clear communication. Finally, challenges with the next steps in developing a comprehensive classification system for rehabilitation are discussed, including (1) the complexity needed to classify a dynamic process and to account for the agents, mechanisms, and objects targeted by that process and (2) the importance of a continued multidisciplinary approach to ensure a classification system that will be broadly useful for a highly diverse and rapidly evolving field.
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, Durham Veterans Administration Medical Center, Durham, NC; and Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Electronic address: helen.hoenig@va.gov.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hoenig
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004282:Documentation; D004777:Environment; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000145:classification* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009626:Terminology as Topic
keywords: CPT; Cane; Classification; Current Procedural Terminology; DNA; E&M; Environment design; History of medicine; ICF; International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health; Mobility disability; RTT; Rehabilitation; Self help device; WHO; World Health Organization; deoxyribonucleic acid; evaluation and management; rehabilitation treatment taxonomy