Concept analysis of functional status

Nursing as a discipline is striving toward evidence-based practice whose foundation is built upon clarity of concepts and theories and appropriate measures. The objectives of the paper are-to clarify an overused and vague concept and to provide a precise operational definition of functional status. By following the Walker and Avant concept analysis guidelines, the concept, functional status, can best be defined as the level of activities performed by an individual to realize needs of daily living in many aspects of life including physical, psychological, social, spiritual, intellectual, and roles. Level of performance is expected to correspond to normal expectation in the individual's nature, structure, and conditions. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.