Aplications of the International Classification of Deficiencies, Discapacities and Invalidities to Chronicity in Mental Health

Abstract

The present work focuses on the difficulties to accomplish an adecuate valuation of needs in ?chronic? psychical patiens. First, a referente is made to the characteristics of the so called ?new chronics?, mostly cared outside the hospital, after the process of desinstitutionalization carried out during the last years. Then, an analysis of the Intemational Classification of Deficiencies, Discapacities and Invalidities published by the World Health Organization in 1980, (as annex of the Intemational Classification of Diseases) is carried out. This work studies basically the description of its classification contents and a valuation of its effectiveness as and instrument to be used in the planning and evaluation works and in the care of patients with mental ?chronical? diseases.