Towards a conceptual description of rehabilitation as a health strategy

Abstract

One major change to the conceptual description of rehabilitation is the explicit integration of the perspective of the disabled person. The relationship between person and provider is characterized as a partnership. However, it is argued that quality of life should not be introduced as a primary goal of rehabilitation. This conceptual description can foster a common understanding of the rehabilitation professions and provide a point of departure for clarifying the role of different professions and services within the broad field of rehabilitation. It can also serve to position rehabilitation as a major health strategy and to sharpen the perception of rehabilitation among external stakeholders.

Olle Höök Lectureship 2015: The World Health Organization’s paradigm shift and implementation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in rehabilitation

“…A slightly modified part of the conceptual description, published in 2007, was used in the definition of rehabilitation in the WRD, launched in 2011. In the same year, after an international discussion, ISPRM developed and endorsed an updated version of the conceptual description (16). The conceptual description of rehabilitation serves as the basis for derived conceptualizations for specific applications.…”

Interprofessional Rehabilitation

“…The WRD defines rehabilitation as a set of measures that assist individuals 'who experience or are likely to experience disability to achieve and maintain optimal functioning in interaction with their environment ' (2011, p. 308). This definition is based on the ICF framework and is consistent with the understanding of rehabilitation as a health strategy, complementing the preventive, curative and supportive health strategies (Meyer et al, 2011 ;Stucki et al, 2007a ).…”

Developing a Danish version of the “Impact on Participation and Autonomy Questionnaire”

“…In light of these recommendations and demands, participation has been highlighted as an important long-term outcome of rehabilitation programmes (8)(9)(10)(11). Thus, in a recently published proposal for an ICF-based conceptual description of rehabilitation, Meyer et al (12) point out that the goal of rehabilitation for persons with health conditions experiencing or likely to experience disability is achieving and maintaining optimal functioning (including participation).…”