The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model is a biopsychosocial framework used for health related conditions (WHO, 2001). This model provides an integrated perspective of health through a combination of biological, psychological and social factors (Alvarez 2012; Reed, Spaulding, & Bufka 2009; Sanderson et al. 2008; WHO 2001). The analysis and critique of the ICF classification model will be useful in determining whether it is an effective tool to improve health and well-being. With a focus specifically on mental health conditions, this essay will examine the theoretical and practice-based features of the ICF model in comparison to medical explanatory models.
The World Health Organisation (2001), …show more content…
Stickley and Timmons (2007) assert that medical models used to explain mental illness are assessed through the pathology of identifying signs and symptoms. Through the use of diagnostic manuals such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), medical professionals are able to recognise, diagnose and treat patients according to specific criteria (Stickley & Timmons, 2007). However, according to research completed by Baron and Linden (2008), medical diagnoses from the DSM rely on conclusions derived from unreliable diagnostic criteria based on invalid symptoms, illness course and history. Furthermore, Deacon (2013) illustrates that the traditional biomedical model posits mental disorders as brain diseases which only emphasise pharmacological treatment. Noticeably from these medical frameworks, the unreliable diagnostic criteria of the DSM and the strong dependency on pharmacological treatment to treat mental disorders is very troubling. The strong focus to identify the presence or absence of disease, combined with an insufficient treatment process makes one question why the ICF has not been implemented …show more content…
It is evident through research compiled by Reed et al. (2009) that the ICF is a more comprehensive tool as it focuses on human functioning and provides a system to enable description of the components of functioning that are impacted by a health condition. Rather than a sole focus on giving a diagnosis which is followed by a pharmacological treatment, like the biomedical framework, the ICF framework allows a comprehensive understanding of ones’ capacities and participation which allows an ample description of health, illness and treatment goals (Stickley & Timmons,
The World Health Organisation (2001), …show more content…
Stickley and Timmons (2007) assert that medical models used to explain mental illness are assessed through the pathology of identifying signs and symptoms. Through the use of diagnostic manuals such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), medical professionals are able to recognise, diagnose and treat patients according to specific criteria (Stickley & Timmons, 2007). However, according to research completed by Baron and Linden (2008), medical diagnoses from the DSM rely on conclusions derived from unreliable diagnostic criteria based on invalid symptoms, illness course and history. Furthermore, Deacon (2013) illustrates that the traditional biomedical model posits mental disorders as brain diseases which only emphasise pharmacological treatment. Noticeably from these medical frameworks, the unreliable diagnostic criteria of the DSM and the strong dependency on pharmacological treatment to treat mental disorders is very troubling. The strong focus to identify the presence or absence of disease, combined with an insufficient treatment process makes one question why the ICF has not been implemented …show more content…
It is evident through research compiled by Reed et al. (2009) that the ICF is a more comprehensive tool as it focuses on human functioning and provides a system to enable description of the components of functioning that are impacted by a health condition. Rather than a sole focus on giving a diagnosis which is followed by a pharmacological treatment, like the biomedical framework, the ICF framework allows a comprehensive understanding of ones’ capacities and participation which allows an ample description of health, illness and treatment goals (Stickley & Timmons,