Back to
Conjoint Professor

Professor Friedbert Kohler

Medicine & Health
School of Clinical Medicine

Research Interests:
Measurement of patient functioning and  patient outcomes especially n the rehabilitation setting. Practical and clinical application of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.  Innovative models of care and cost effectiveness of community aged care and rehabilitation services, including telehealth services, integrated health service, outpatient models of care for individuals following requiring ongoing rehabilitation; and  geriatric outreach services into residential aged care facilities (RACFs) and the community to minimise or eliminate unnecessary presentations to Emergency Departments and facilitate early transfer back to RACFs.

Broad Research Areas:
Rehabilitation, Health Services Management, Health Services Research, Community aged care services, End of life care, 

Society Memberships & Professional Activities:
AFRM; ISPO (Past President of ISPO international as past president of ISPO Australia); Australian Society for Geriatric Medicine; Stroke Society of Australasia; ISPRM - member of Disaster relief committee.

Specific Research Keywords:
Outcomes Research, Models of Care, Integrated health Services, Amputation, Prostheses, Health Services Costing, ICF (International Classification of Functioning)
  • Book Chapters | 2012
    Kohler F, 2012, 'Lower limb amputation', in Stam HJ; Muzaffer Buyruk H; Melvin JL; Stucki G; Burggraaf I (ed.), Acute Medical Rehabilitation Volume 1, edn. 1, VitalMed, pp. 107 - 129, http://www.acutemedicalrehabilitation.com/
  • Journal articles | 2023
    2023, 'Developing a model for rehabilitation in the home as hospital substitution for patients requiring reconditioning: a Delphi survey in Australia', BMC Health Services Research, 23, pp. 113, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09068-5
    Journal articles | 2023
    2023, 'Psychometric properties of outcome measures for lower-limb absence: A protocol for a systematic review.', Prosthet Orthot Int, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/PXR.0000000000000220
    Journal articles | 2023
    2023, 'Recommendations from the ISPO lower-limb COMPASS: Patient-reported and performance-based outcome measures', Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 47, pp. 13 - 25, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/PXR.0000000000000197
    Journal articles | 2022
    2022, 'Development of an audit tool for advance care planning documentation between the hospital and residential aged care facility interface', Internal Medicine Journal, 52, pp. 1647 - 1648, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/imj.15901
    Journal articles | 2022
    2022, 'Understanding of advance care planning in primary care: A gap analysis', Australian Journal of Primary Health, 28, pp. 344 - 349, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/PY21253
    Journal articles | 2021
    2021, 'A Cross Sectional, Mixed-Method Cohort Study Evaluating the Implementation of Leading Better Value Care Initiatives', Journal of Service Science and Management, 14, pp. 228 - 240, http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jssm.2021.142014
    Journal articles | 2021
    2021, 'Evaluation of the Implementation of the Advance Care Planning Package in South Western Sydney', Journal of Service Science and Management, 14, pp. 696 - 711, http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jssm.2021.146044
    Journal articles | 2021
    2021, 'History of telemonitoring in South Western Sydney', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTEGRATED CARE, 20, http://dx.doi.org/10.5334/ijic.s4181
    Journal articles | 2021
    2021, 'LEAD and COMPASS: Tools to map the way forward for people with lower limb absence', Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 45, pp. 369 - 372, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/PXR.0000000000000045
    Journal articles | 2021
    2021, 'Learnings from Implementing Telemonitoring in South West Sydney (LITE in SWS)', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTEGRATED CARE, 20, http://dx.doi.org/10.5334/ijic.s4009
    Journal articles | 2021
    2021, 'Understanding the general practice of telemonitoring integrated care: A qualitative perspective', Australian Journal of Primary Health, 27, pp. 364 - 370, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/PY20215
    Journal articles | 2020
    2020, 'The Efficacy of In-Reach Rehabilitation in Morbidly Obese Post Septic Patients: Two Retrospective Case Reports.', J Rehabil Med Clin Commun, 3, pp. 1000042, http://dx.doi.org/10.2340/20030711-1000042
    Journal articles | 2019
    Radhakrishnan S; Kohler F; Gutenbrunner C; Jayaraman A; Pieber K; Li J; Schiappacasse C, 2019, 'Mobility in persons with lower extremity amputations and influencing factors: Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health to quantify expert views', Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 43, pp. 88 - 94, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0309364618792714
    Journal articles | 2019
    2019, 'Learnings from implementing telemonitoring – the LITE study', Journal of Integrated Care, 27, pp. 346 - 356, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jica-05-2019-0022
    Journal articles | 2018
    Chow JS F; Gonzalez-Arce V; Knight A; Kohler F, 2018, 'Retrospective analysis of telemonitoring in Wollondilly, Australia', Journal of Integrated Care, 26, pp. 150 - 157, http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JICA-10-2017-0032
    Journal articles | 2018
    MacLachlan M; Banes D; Bell D; Borg J; Donnelly B; Fembek M; Ghosh R; Gowran RJ; Hannay E; Hiscock D; Hoogerwerf EJ; Howe T; Kohler F; Layton N; Long S; Mannan H; Mji G; Odera Ongolo T; Perry K; Pettersson C; Power J; Delgado Ramos V; Slepičková L; Smith EM; Tay-Teo K; Geiser P; Hooks H, 2018, 'Assistive technology policy: a position paper from the first global research, innovation, and education on assistive technology (GREAT) summit', Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 13, pp. 454 - 466, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2018.1468496
    Journal articles | 2018
    2018, 'Impact of acute geriatric services for nursing home residents on emergency department presentation and hospitalisation', Asian Journal of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 13, pp. 68 - 73, http://dx.doi.org/10.12809/ajgg-2017-276-oa
    Journal articles | 2017
    Buhagiar MA; Naylor JM; Harris IA; Xuan W; Kohler F; Wright R; Fortunato R, 2017, 'Effect of inpatient rehabilitation vs a monitored home-based program on mobility in patients with total knee arthroplasty the HIHO randomized clinical trial', JAMA - Journal of the American Medical Association, 317, pp. 1037 - 1046, http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.1224
    Journal articles | 2017
    Buhagiar MA; Naylor JM; Simpson G; Harris IA; Kohler F, 2017, 'Understanding consumer and clinician preferences and decision making for rehabilitation following arthroplasty in the private sector', BMC Health Services Research, 17, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2379-9
    Journal articles | 2017
    Dillon MP; Fortington LV; Akram M; Erbas B; Kohler F, 2017, 'Geographic variation of the incidence rate of lower limb amputation in Australia from 2007-12', PLoS ONE, 12, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0170705
    Journal articles | 2017
    Radhakrishnan S; Kohler F; Gutenbrunner C; Jayaraman A; Li J; Pieber K; Schiappacasse C, 2017, 'The use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health to classify the factors influencing mobility reported by persons with an amputation: An international study', Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 41, pp. 412 - 419, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0309364616652016
    Journal articles | 2017
    2017, 'Retrospective Analysis of Telemonitoring (RATE)', International Journal of Integrated Care, 17, pp. 13 - 13, http://dx.doi.org/10.5334/ijic.3125
    Journal articles | 2015
    Chow J; Waldon P; Lubiana A; Williams R; Loy G; Lim K; Larkin A; Kohler F, 2015, 'The establishment of the triple I (Hub), an intake, information and intervention hub', Contemporary Nurse, 50, pp. 227 - 237, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10376178.2015.1116371
    Journal articles | 2015
    Faux SG; Kohler F; Mozer R; Klein LA; Courtenay S; D'Amours SK; Chapman J; Estell J, 2015, 'The ROARI project - Road Accident Acute Rehabilitation Initiative: A randomised clinical trial of two targeted early interventions for road-related trauma', Clinical Rehabilitation, 29, pp. 639 - 652, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0269215514552083
    Journal articles | 2015
    2015, 'ICD-11: a comprehensive picture of health, an update on the ICD-ICF joint use initiative.', J Rehabil Med, 47, pp. 2 - 8, http://dx.doi.org/10.2340/16501977-1928
    Journal articles | 2014
    Dillon MP; Kohler F; Peeva V, 2014, 'Incidence of lower limb amputation in Australian hospitals from 2000 to 2010', Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 38, pp. 122 - 132, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0309364613490441
    Journal articles | 2014
    Egen C; Gutenbrunner C; Kohler F, 2014, 'Development of a mobility assessment instrument for lower limb amputees based on the international classification of functioning, disability and health', Physikalische Medizin, Rehabilitationsmedizin, Kurortmedizin, 24, pp. 155 - 157, http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0034-1375662
    Journal articles | 2014
    Leong RW L; Huang T; Ko Y; Jeon A; Chang J; Kohler F; Kariyawasam V, 2014, 'Prospective validation study of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health score in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis', Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, 8, pp. 1237 - 1245, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.crohns.2014.02.028
    Journal articles | 2014
    Leong RW L; Huang T; Ko Y; Jeon A; Chang J; Kohler F; Kariyawasam V, 2014, 'Prospective validation study of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health score in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis', Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, 8, pp. 1237 - 1245, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.crohns.2014.02.028
    Journal articles | 2013
    Buhagiar MA; Naylor JM; Harris IA; Xuan W; Kohler F; Wright RJ; Fortunato R, 2013, 'Hospital Inpatient versus HOme-based rehabilitation after knee arthroplasty (The HIHO study): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial', Trials, 14, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-14-432
    Journal articles | 2013
    Kohler F; Connolly C; Nurse AS; Stendara K; Buhagiar M; Mojaddidi M, 2013, 'Response to letter to the Editor by Gunnar Grimby and Åsa Lundgren-Nilsson, 'Comments on the article "can the ICF be used as a rehabilitation outcome measure ? A study looking at the inter - And intra -rater reliability of the ICF categories derived from an ADL assessment tool"', Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 45, pp. 931
    Journal articles | 2013
    Kohler F; Connolly C; Sakaria A; Stendara K; Buhagiar M; Mojaddidi M, 2013, 'Can the ICF be used as a rehabilitation outcome measure? A study looking at the inter- and intra-rater reliability of ICF categories derived from an ADL assessment tool', Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 45, pp. 881 - 887, http://dx.doi.org/10.2340/16501977-1194
    Journal articles | 2013
    2013, 'Response to letter to the Editor by Gunnar Grimby and Åsa Lundgren-Nilsson, 'Comments on the article "can the ICF be used as a rehabilitation outcome measure ? A study looking at the inter - And intra -rater reliability of the ICF categories derived from an ADL assessment tool"', Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 45, pp. 931
    Journal articles | 2012
    2012, 'Towards the joint use of ICD and ICF: A call for contribution', Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 44, pp. 805 - 810, http://dx.doi.org/10.2340/16501977-1062
    Journal articles | 2011
    Kohler F, 2011, 'Editorial', Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 35, pp. 259 - 261, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0309364611420995
    Journal articles | 2011
    2011, 'Feasibility of using a checklist based on the international classification of functioning, disability and health as an outcome measure in individuals following lower limb amputation.', Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 35, pp. 294 - 301, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0309364611415310
    Journal articles | 2011
    2011, 'Subacute casemix classification for stroke rehabilitation in Australia. How well does AN-SNAP v2 explain variance in outcomes?', Australian Health Review, 35, pp. 1 - 8, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/AH09806
    Journal articles | 2011
    2011, 'Systematic review of concepts measured in individuals with lower limb amputation using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as a reference', Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 35, pp. 262 - 268, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0309364611412821
    Journal articles | 2010
    2010, 'Interrater Reliability of Functional Status Scores for Patients Transferred From One Rehabilitation Setting to Another', Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 91, pp. 1031 - 1037, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2010.03.020
    Journal articles | 2009
    2009, 'Agreement of functional independence measure item scores in patients transferred from one rehabilitation setting to another', European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 45, pp. 479 - 485
    Journal articles | 2009
    2009, 'Developing Core Sets for persons following amputation based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as a way to specify functioning', Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 33, pp. 117 - 129, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03093640802652029
    Journal articles | 2009
    2009, 'Interrater Agreement of Functional Independence Measure Aggregate Scores in a Clinical Setting of Patients Transferred from One Rehabilitation Unit to in Raters Advised of the Study Beforehand', International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 32, pp. S28 - S28, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00004356-200908001-00039
    Journal articles | 2002
    Köhler F, 2002, 'Impact of the DRG system for subacute and rehabilitative treatment in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia', Rehabilitation, 41, pp. 10 - 13, http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-2002-19957
    Journal articles | 1999
    Dickson HG; Kohler F; Sonn U; Svensson E, 1999, 'Comments on 'Measures of individual and group changes in ordered categorical data' (multiple letters)', Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 31, pp. 125 - 128
    Journal articles | 1999
    Dickson HG; Kohler F; Wikander B; Milsom I, 1999, 'Functional independence measure (FIM) (multiple letters)', Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 31, pp. 63 - 64, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/003655099444740
    Journal articles | 1999
    1999, 'Comments on "measures of individual and group changes in ordered categorical data"', SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE, 31, pp. 125 - 125, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000080483400009&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Journal articles | 1999
    1999, 'Functional Independence Measure (FIM)', SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE, 31, pp. 63 - 63, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000079709300010&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Journal articles | 1997
    Dickson HG; Kohler F, 1997, 'FIM measurement properties and rasch model details - Reply', SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE, 29, pp. 270 - 272, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:A1997YH64700010&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Journal articles | 1997
    1997, 'FIM measurement properties and Rasch model details', Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 29, pp. 267 - 272
    Journal articles | 1996
    1996, 'The multidimensionality of the FIM motor items precludes an interval scaling using Rasch analysis', Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 28, pp. 156 - 162
    Journal articles | 1995
    Dickson HG; Kohler F, 1995, 'Correspondence', Disability and Rehabilitation, 17, pp. 456, http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09638289509166661
    Journal articles | 1995
    1995, 'Interrater reliability of the 7-level functional independence measure (FIM)', Scandinavian journal of rehabilitation medicine, 27, pp. 253 - 256, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:A1995TP99100008&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Journal articles | 1995
    1995, 'THE FUNCTIONAL INDEPENDENCE MEASURE - A COMPARATIVE VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY STUDY', DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION, 17, pp. 456 - 456, http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09638289509166662
    Journal articles | 1994
    Dickson HG; Hodgkinson A; Kohler F, 1994, 'Inpatient quality assurance by local analysis of uniform data set data', Journal of Quality in Clinical Practice, 14, pp. 145 - 148
  • Conference Abstracts | 2018
    Chow J; Gonzalez-Arce VE; Knight A; Kohler F; Duggan J; Sykes A, 2018, 'Transforming Telehealth through Enhanced General Practices Partnerships', in INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTEGRATED CARE, UBIQUITY PRESS LTD, Vol. 18, http://dx.doi.org/10.5334/ijic.s1024
    Conference Abstracts | 2018
    Steiner G; Dubois S; Ee C; McBride K; George E; MacMillan F; Karamacoska D; Singh K; Harley A; McDonald K; Derrett A; Chow J; Kohler F; Hohenberg M, 2018, 'Co-creating a model of care for a new multidisciplinary memory clinic in South Western Sydney', in AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, WILEY, Vol. 37, pp. 77 - 77, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000435932900149&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Conference Presentations | 2018
    2018, 'Integrating Health Care (Our Journey Continues)', presented at 18th International Conference in Integrated Care, Utrecht, Netherlands, 23 May 2018 - 25 May 2018, https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1G6QO4yTFb5wJEk9xEvRHtcZn4Ly8YYZk
    Conference Papers | 2018
    2018, 'Transforming telehealth through enhanced General Practices partnerships', in INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTEGRATED CARE, UBIQUITY PRESS LTD, http://dx.doi.org/10.5334/ijic.s2310
    Conference Presentations | 2015
    Perry J; Chen A; Collins G; Chang J; Kohler F; Leong RW, 2015, 'Medication non-adherence in inflammatory bowel diseases is significantly associated with disability', Vol. 30, pp. 135 - 136, Korea (South), http://dx.doi.org/10.5217/ir.2018.00033
    Conference Papers | 2014
    Kohler F; Liaw S-T; Pennock R; Chow J, 2014, 'Integrated Health Care - a population health approach in South Western Sydney', in INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTEGRATED CARE, UBIQUITY PRESS LTD, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000414285800059&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
    Conference Papers | 2009
    2009, 'Analysis of Functional Improvement in Patients Transferred to a Rehabilitation Unit Following Stroke, Relative to Time of Transfer into the Unit', in International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA, USA, pp. S15 - S15, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00004356-200908001-00021
    Conference Papers | 2009
    2009, 'Interrater Agreement of Functional Independence Measure Aggregate Scores in a Clinical Setting of Patients Transferred from One Rehabilitation Unit to in Raters Advised of the Study Beforehand', in International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA, USA, pp. S29 - S29, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000269556500040&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a
    Conference Papers | 2009
    2009, 'Subacute Casemix Classification for Stroke Rehabilitation in an Australian Setting', in International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA, USA, pp. S41 - S41, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00004356-200908001-00055
    Conference Papers | 2009
    2009, 'The Financial and Classification Consequences of Differences in FIM scores of Patients Transferred Between Two Rehabilitation Units', in International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA, USA, pp. S42 - S42, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00004356-200908001-00056

My Research Supervision

PhD: ICF Core Sets for persons with a lower limb amputation

PhD: Development of and ICF based mobility assessment toll for persons with a lower limb amputation