ICF perspektivet på rehabilitering av temporær og kronisk funksjonshemning ved Beitostølen Helsesportsenter : Endringer i funksjon og tilfredshet med livet i løpet av og etter rehabiliteringsopphold.

Abstract Background: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is created by the WHO in purpose to get an universal classification of health, independent of diagnosis. The model is emphasizing on how people with physical disability are functioning in a biopsychosocial context. In this research we have used the ICF perspective to look at rehabilitation of chronic and temporary physical disability at Beitostølen Helsesportsenter (BHSS). More concretely, the aims of the study were to describe the disability across the different diagnosis and to evaluate if functioning and quality of life change during and after rehabilitation stay at BHSS. , Methods: Nine informants admitted to a rehabilitation stay at BHSS volunteered to join our study. We linked the physical and emotional functions, daily activities and social contact domains of the COOP/WONCA chart to the ICF components of body functions, activities and participations. We used Visual Analog Scale for the assessment of satisfaction with life. The results were analyzed by use of SPSS. Results: Before admission to BHSS, the function, activity, participation and satisfaction with life values were slightly reduced. The group in total reported an improvement in functioning during their stay at BHSS. Four weeks after homecoming they reported deterioration in physical and emotional functions and social contacts, but higher level of daily activities. Satisfaction of life was not influenced by the BHSS stay. Conclusion: The ICF as a conceptual model for describing disability across the different diagnoses is most likely useful. The rehabilitation stay seems to have positive effect on different aspects of health, but for many attendants it’s difficult to maintain the improvements at home. Due to the fact that only few participants were included the results can not be generalizable. Therefore we recommend replicating the study on a bigger population