title: Functioning information in the learning health system.
abstract: In this methodological note on applying the ICF in rehabilitation, we introduce functioning information as fundamental for the "learning health system" and the continuous improvement of the health system's response to people's functioning needs by means of the provision of rehabilitation. A learning health system for rehabilitation operates at the micro-level of the individual patient, meso-level of operational management, and the macro-level of policy that guides rehabilitation programming. All three levels rely on the capacity of the informational system of the health system for standardized documentation and coding of functioning information, and the development of national rehabilitation quality management systems. This methodological note describes how functioning information is used for the continuous improvement of functioning outcomes in a learning health system across these three levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences and Health Policy, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland - gerold.stucki@paraplegie.ch.|Swiss Paraplegic Research (SPF), Nottwil, Switzerland - gerold.stucki@paraplegie.ch.|ICF Research Branch, in Cooperation Partner with the WHO Collaborating Centre for the Family of International Classifications in Germany (at DIMDI), Nottwil, Switzerland - gerold.stucki@paraplegie.ch.
authors.forename: Gerold
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stucki
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences and Health Policy, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland.|Swiss Paraplegic Research (SPF), Nottwil, Switzerland.|ICF Research Branch, in Cooperation Partner with the WHO Collaborating Centre for the Family of International Classifications in Germany (at DIMDI), Nottwil, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bickenbach
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D063005:Health Information Systems / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D064702:International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health; D010810:Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*