Controversy exists around the application of personal factors within the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. In the framework, they are represented by one of the boxes, but without content. They are part of the model, but cannot be coded or collected statistically. This article clarifies the rationale for the inclusion of personal factors in the classification, describes the controversies related to it and provides a personal statement about the utility of personal factors in clinical practice.
Keywords: Disability; Health statistics; ICF; Patient perspective; Personal factors.