International classification of function in public health and disability research: A systematic review of adoption

The purpose of this review is to assess the extent to which the International Classification of Function (ICF) and International Classification of Function for Children and Youth (ICF-CY) have been used in public health-related disability research since adoption by the World Health Organization in 2001 and 2007, respectively. The ICF and ICF-CY are designed to: (1) provide a common language to improve disability communication, (2) permit data comparison, and (3) encourage a paradigm shift from a medical model to a functional model of disability. However, it is unclear if they are being adopted globally in public health and disability research to meet these objectives. A systematic review of research published since the ICF and ICF-CY were established is being conducted using computerized keyword searches from research databases (e.g. Academic Search Premier, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Health Source: Nursing and Academic Edition, MEDLINE, Psych Articles, etc.) and dissertation abstracts. Example keywords include ICF and ICF-CY combined with both disability and public health terms (e.g. ICF and disability and health; ICF and disabled and obesity, etc.). Nesting and truncation methods are also being used. All studies that use the ICF or ICF-CY as part of research design, clinical assessment, or theoretical framework in the area of public health will be included in the review and categorized accordingly. Country of publication and location of authors will also be categorized. The findings will evaluate the degree to which the ICF and ICF-CY have been globally adopted to meet the designed outcomes.