Certified Brain Injury Specialist Practice Exam

Which model is primarily focused on functional performance and participation?

1. Biomedical model

2. Functional model

3. Social model

4. Environmental model

The correct answer is: Functional model

The functional model is primarily focused on understanding and enhancing an individual's functional performance and participation in daily activities. This model emphasizes the abilities and skills necessary for individuals to engage actively in their communities and life pursuits, rather than primarily focusing on their medical diagnosis or limitations caused by an injury. Functional performance encompasses a wide range of activities, including self-care, communication, mobility, and social interaction, aiming to improve the quality of life for those with brain injuries. This model often takes a holistic approach, recognizing that functional abilities can be influenced by not just the individual but also their environment and social circumstances. The focus is on the individual's potential and fostering independence through rehabilitation strategies, making it a vital perspective in brain injury rehabilitation and support. While the other models have their own significance—such as the biomedical model's emphasis on the physical aspects of disability, the social model's focus on societal barriers, and the environmental model's consideration of external factors—none are as centered on the direct enhancement of functional performance and participation as the functional model is.