International classifications in the Netherlands: Utility, application and necessity. Which utility have the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) of the World Health Organization? Is there a necessity for their application in the Netherlands? How does one optimize the development and implementation of international classifications in the Netherlands? International classifications have advantages and disadvantages due to their capability to aggregate and integrate different health data, according to international standards. The advantage of having comparable data is also a disadvantage: these data cannot cover all relevant and detailed data for client and professional. The report describes structure, basic rules, utility and main applications of the WHO-FIC. International classifications distinguish from often mono-disciplinary terminologies and in subject restricted measurement instruments by their multiple purposes, diversity and frequent use. In this way data from different origin can be joined into relevant health information. The necessity of international classifications is often sanctioned by its applicability for social laws (WMO, WSW, Wtcg) and its use in administration and statistics. These conclusions are also confirmed by different stakeholders in the Netherlands. The development and implementation of international classifications demands for the performance of different activities, such as information and support to classification users (their applications, education and training), translation of international classifications and representing the experiences and deeds of the users in the international development of revisions and updates of international classifications. (Author/publisher)
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