September 12, 2025

The biopsychosocial model in disability evaluation: disability is not an ICD code.

Key Points

The biopsychosocial model emphasizes disability as a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors, moving beyond the limitations of the ICD definition.
Proposed interdisciplinary evaluation methods aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of disabilities, advocating for their recognition in Brazilian social policies.
This theoretical study addresses existing gaps in Disability Studies within Brazil, fostering critical discussions among health professionals and social actors.
The transition from a purely biomedical approach to a biopsychosocial framework signifies a significant cultural shift in how disability is perceived and evaluated.

Abstract

The identification of people with disabilities for social policies is in theoretical, political, and social dispute in Brazil. The aim is to transition from the biomedical model, based on medical reports with a code of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD), to the biopsychosocial model with a multi-professional and interdisciplinary evaluation as provided for in the Brazilian Law of Inclusion. This theoretical study attempts to present some support for the discussion on the assessment of disability. It presents a theoretical-conceptual dispute as a matrix for reflection, assessment instruments, and political movements related to social actors. This appraisal seeks to fill a gap in the Brazilian scientific literature, broadening the debate on Disability Studies, as well as providing information in straightforward language for health professionals, and people with disabilities.

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