ABSTRACT

Objective : This study was carried out to propose a goal-setting process reflecting the desires of single patients and to seek the possibility of application of ICF within a structuralized rehabilitation system by applying the ICF-based Swiss Paraplegic Group (SPG) case-management frame, which emphasizes a patient-centered goal-oriented approach, to Korean patients with spinal damage. Methods : The subject of this study was a 62 year-old man admitted to a hospital in D Metropolitan City after an automobile accident who was diagnosed with damage to C4-C5 of his spinal cord (ASIA D). The patient participated in the rehabilitation program and set his social participation and return to work as his global goals, and an independent life as his service program goal. Based on these goals, an improvement of mobility, self-help management, and an enhancement of memory and ability to use a computer were set as three subordinate cycle goals. Results : A rehabilitation team was created in accordance with the goals of the patient. The achievement of the patient in accordance with his set intervention goals independently included an overall improvement in areas of self-management, and the patient was able to independently urinate and defecate through a continuous drug therapy. In addition, although walking with the aid of a walker was possible, it was determined that the patient failed to reach the targeted value in terms of independent walking, since walking with the aid of a supplementary tool does not fulfill the goal of returning to work, as set by the patient. This result considers the context of individuals emphasized in ICF. Conclusion : For the ICF-based SPG form applied in this study, the goals were determined and the elements of intervention were set through the desires and context of the patient, and there was an advantage in being able to objectively compare the patient and prognosis prior to and following treatment. Therefore, it is suggested for future researches that the process of goal setting reflecting the desires of an individual patient be suggested by applying an ICF-based SPG case-management frame to a diverse range of diseases and patients with a wide range of ages, and to pursue the application of ICF within a structuralized rehabilitation system.