Health measurement for care management using the international classification of functioning codes

Methods To construct a care-management tool based on the ICF, we developed 12 ICF-based health-measurement scales including basic behavior, mobility, orientation, communication, cognitive activities, eating function, eating behavior, toileting, bathing, oral hygiene, self-care and clothing. The new scales have the following characteristics: 1. ICF codes are selected using the Rasch method. Therefore, the items included in the assessment scales are unidimensional and independent of measurement settings. 2. By hierarchically rearranging the items in the assessment scales, the authors constructed Guttman scales. Each Guttman scale is composed of four ICF items, dividing their functioning into five categories. This means that each scale includes only four ICF items, making the measurement simpler and less time consuming. 3. By adding illustrations, the user can identify the functional status of patients. Results The case-management tools are as follows: 1. Patients are assigned to one category in each scale. 2. In each scale, the case manager decides whether the patient is more likely to experience an improvement or a worsening of their functional level. 3. If the patient is more likely to improve, an intervention plan, such as rehabilitation or medical intervention, is decided upon. In the case of a patient’s worsening, a risk management plan is selected.