ICF AND GAS AS EVALUATION AND TEACHING TOOLS IN CORRELATION WITH DIABETES

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is chronic disease associated with impaired body structure and functions including all organs. Organ impairments often lead to limitations of physical activities and restrictions in daily activities and social participation, including work.

Methodology: The methodology of this paper is reviewing literature for ICF and GAS as teaching and evaluation tools in correlation with Diabetes mellitus. The ICF is International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, and GAS (Goal Attainment Scaling) is the method to present personalized rating scales, determining the amount of progress towards set goals.

Literature review: The ICF reflects functioning and disability which are prerequisite connected to each health condition. Provides detailed and systematic information about all bio-psycho-social aspects of consequences of illnesses and disorders in consideration of the relevant contextual factors. The ICF organizes information regarding human functioning and its limitations in two parts, dealing with functioning and disability divided into Body Functions (b) and Body Structures (s) as well as Activities and Participation (d). In the second part the Contextual Factors included Environmental Factors (e) and Personal Factors. GAS is an instrument that enables individual goals to be measured.GAS appears to be a viable solution for improving collaborative goal setting to enhance self-care for patients with diabetes. The primary benefit of the GAS tool was patient involvement. The GAS method is a reliable and useful tool for the development of self-care goals in diabetes when the patients are ready to act in self-care.

Recommendations: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF ) as multipurpous classification tool and GAS (Goal attainment Scaling) methodology are useful tools in evaluation and teaching while assessing and measuring the results of rehabilitation in Diabetic patients.