ICF Australian User Guide V1.0

Contents

2. Overview of the ICF

2.1 Components of the ICF

The ICF defines functioning and disability as multi-dimensional concepts, relating to:

the body functions and structures of people
the activities people do and the life areas in which they participate
the factors in their environment which affect these experiences.

Each of these components is defined in the context of a health condition. Disability is the umbrella term for any or all of: an impairment of body structure or function, a limitation in activities, or a restriction in participation.

In the ICF, a person's functioning or disability is conceived as a dynamic interaction between health conditions and environmental and personal factors (WHO 2001:6) (see Figure 2.1). Environmental Factors - an important new component of the ICF - are included in recognition of their influence on functioning and disability. Although Personal Factors are recognised in the interactive model shown in Figure 2.1, they are not classified in, and are beyond the scope of, the ICF. Such factors might include age, sex, and Indigenous status and would be selected by users according to the application.

Figure 2.1: Interactions between the components of ICF

Source: WHO 2001:18

Definitions

The following are definitions of the components:

Body functions are the physiological functions of body systems (including psychological functions).

Body structures are anatomical parts of the body such as organs, limbs and their components.

Impairments are problems in body function and structure such as significant deviation or loss.

Activity is the execution of a task or action by an individual.

Participation is involvement in a life situation.

Activity limitations are difficulties an individual may have in executing activities.

Participation restrictions are problems an individual may experience in involvement in life situations.

Environmental factors make up the physical, social and attitudinal environment in which people live and conduct their lives. These are either barriers to or facilitators of the person's functioning.

Domains within components

Each component is composed of various domains; these are sets of related physiological functions, anatomical structures, actions, tasks, areas of life, and external influences. The ICF has a separate chapter for each of the domains. Table 2.1 lists ICF components and domains, with examples of some of the contents of each domain.

Table 2.1: ICF components and domains, with examples of contents

Component	Domains/Chapter headings
Body Functions:	Mental functions e.g. memory function, intellectual functions
eight chapters	Sensory functions and pain e.g. hearing function, smell function
	Voice and speech functions e.g. articulation functions
	Functions of the cardiovascular, haematological, immunological and respiratory systems e.g. blood pressure functions, respiratory muscle functions
	Functions of the digestive, metabolic and endocrine systems e.g. ingestion functions, endocrine gland functions
	Genitourinary and reproductive functions e.g. menstruation functions
	Neuromusculoskeletal and movement-related functions e.g mobility of joint functions
	Functions of the skin and related structures e.g. repair functions of the skin
Body Structures:	Structures of the nervous system e.g. spinal cord and related structures
eight chapters	The eye, ear and related structures e.g. structure of eyeball, structure of inner ear
	Structures involved in voice and speech e.g. structure of mouth
	Structures of the cardiovascular, immunological and respiratory systems
	Structures related to the digestive, metabolic and endocrine systems e.g structure of intestine, structure of gall bladder and ducts
	Structures related to the genitourinary and reproductive systems e.g. structure of the urinary system, structure of pelvic floor
	Structures related to movement e.g. structure of head and neck region
	Skin and related structures e.g. structure of skin glands
Activities & Participation:	Learning and applying knowledge e.g. learning to read, solving problems
nine chapters	General tasks and demands e.g. carrying out daily routine
	Communication e.g. speaking, conversation
	Mobility e.g. getting around inside or outside home
	Self-care e.g. washing oneself, dressing
	Domestic life e.g. preparing meals, acquiring a place to live
	Interpersonal interactions and relationships e.g. relating with strangers, formal relationships, family relationships
	Major life areas e.g. work and employment, remunerative employment
	Community, social and civic life e.g. recreation and leisure, religion and spirituality
Environmental Factors: five chapters	Products and technology e.g. products and technology for communication; design, construction and building products and technology of buildings for public use
	Natural environment and human-made changes to environment e.g. physical geography, light, sound, air quality
	Support and relationships e.g. immediate family, health professionals
	Attitudes e.g. individual attitude of friends, individual attitude of health professionals
	Services, systems and policies e.g. social security services, systems and policies

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