Functional Scores of Disability

Abstract

The development of disability after critical illness is a complex process that is not well understood. Functional status, disability, and impairments are related terms that describe how a person performs in socially defined activities required to care for oneself. Confusion and misuse of these terms limits cross talk between professionals and slows research collaboration. Conceptual models from other disciplines focused on how disabilities develop can be useful for critical care providers and researchers to understand these processes. Improved use of terminology and an understanding of these models are important first steps in reducing this component of post-critical illness suffering.