Implementation of The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework focuses not only on medical diagnoses but also on body functions, daily activities, social participation, and environmental factors that may facilitate or hinder a person’s life. This common language helps multidisciplinary teams develop more comprehensive and personalized service plans based on each service user’s abilities, needs, and living environment.

Hong Kong’s Rehabilitation Programme Plan for Persons with Disabilities, published in 2020, recognized the value of ICF in assessment and personalized service planning. Several non-governmental organizations have also adapted and applied the framework in rehabilitation services according to their needs. Meanwhile, our Morning Glory Day Activity Centre cum Hostel (MGCH) provides day training, nursing, and residential care services for visually impaired with intellectual disabilities. Equipped with an interdisciplinary assessment mechanism, MGCH is uniquely positioned as an ideal pilot unit for implementing the ICF framework.

The professional team developed a tailored assessment form based on service users’ actual experiences in the centre and hostel, rather than directly applying the entire international classification. The assessment covers mental and sensory functions, motor functions, physical health, learning, communication, mobility, self-care, participation, and environmental factors. Staff from nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and social work contribute professional observations and opinions to support individualized assessments.

Through several multidisciplinary meetings, the team used practical examples to standardize the scoring criteria and improve the assessment form. They clarified the definitions of “capacity” and “performance.” “Capacity” refers to what a service user can do without assistance, while “performance” refers to what the service user does in daily life with prompts, assistive devices, or environmental support. The team also improved the recording of barriers, facilitators, assistive technology, medication effects, and bilateral hand functions. To ensure that the form remains practical, unnecessary complexity was avoided. The assessment form will support the individual care planning process but will not replace professional judgement or team discussions.

The introduction of the electronic ICF assessment form in August 2026 marked an important milestone for MGCH. The system integrates information and professional opinions into one shared and clearly structured record. The electronic form allows team members to enter information simultaneously, making it easier to identify work progress and outstanding items. It improves the consistency and clarity of the information recorded and clarifies each professional’s responsibility for the information provided. It also helps the team complete preparation and reviews before meetings more efficiently, thereby improving the effectiveness of discussions.

This is the initial stage of HKSB’s development of an ICF-based service practice. The focus will shift to streamlining procedures and implementing intervention measures in the near future. If MGCH successfully adopts the framework and completes the assessment electronically, its experience, practical insights, and tested methods can be shared with other service units, helping them adopt the ICF framework more effectively in the future.