Personal factors and their relevance for the assessment and allocation of benefits in social medicine and rehabilitation

A broad and common understanding of the nature of Personal Factors contributes and initiates a dialogue between professionals involved in health care to gain a comprehensive perspective regarding an individual’s health condition and accurately allocate social benefits and medical interventions. Personal Factors play an essential role in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and the underlying Bio-Psycho-Social Disease Model. To date, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has not classified Personal Factors for global use despite their impact on the functioning of individuals as facilitators or barriers. This editorial wants to outline the importance of Personal Factors, and stimulate a discussion about the need to fulfil this component by creating a commonly accepted list of items.