Abstract
The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) is probably the most widely used functional assessment scale in the world. The FIM was developed to address the lack of a uniform measurement of disability, particularly in the context of evaluating rehabilitation outcomes. It describes a person's functional abilities and limitations in activities required for daily living. The FIM is intended as a measure of disability, not impairment. This paper discusses the structure of the FIM, its measurement properties, its clinical utility for injury populations, and the effectiveness of the FIM for monitoring injury outcomes.