Physiother Theory Pract. 2025 Jun 27:1-9. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2025.2516171. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE: To identify the contextual factors associated with the clinical use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).METHODS: A cross-sectional national exploratory survey was carried out in Brazil. The questionnaire Personal and environmental barriers for the implementation of the ICF by physical therapists was mailed to physical and occupational therapists. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore associations between contextual factors with education, attitudes, beliefs, interest, and perception related to work resources.RESULTS: The overall response rate was 70% (n = 604). Most respondents showed interest to incorporate ICF in the clinical practice (98%), believe that ICF is essential to clinical practice (93%), and facilitate communication (91%). The most cited barrier was difficulty in applying the ICF for assessments of patients. Four characteristics (access to ICF outside the work environment, supportive actions, sex and academic education) explained 11% of the variance associated with attitudes, beliefs and interests for the use of the ICF. Two characteristics (age and access to ICF at work) explained 7% of the variance associated with education for the use of ICF. Two characteristics (working in education institutions and working in urban regions) explained 10% of the variance associated with the perception of support and availability of resources for the ICF use.CONCLUSIONS: Physical and occupational therapists have positive attitudes toward the use of ICF, but most respondents did not receive satisfactory academic training and reported low self-efficacy for using ICF in clinical practice.PMID:40575875 | DOI:10.1080/09593985.2025.2516171