The Girona-based partners of the European project Equal Treatment have presented the results of the initiative, which aims to improve healthcare access and treatment for people with intellectual disabilities. The event was organized by the Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), the Institute of Health Assistance (IAS), and the Arnau d’Escala Campus Foundation (FCAE).
According to data from the European Union, people with intellectual disabilities have a life expectancy 16 years shorter than the general population and face a four times higher mortality risk due to a lack of proper care tailored to their needs. Over three years, the project has worked to address this issue and enhance the treatment of this group.
Best practices and online training
The analysis of the project was presented by Dr. Lluís Marroyo, managing director of FCAE. This study led to the development of 10 recommendations, which were presented by Dr. Laura Verges, a researcher at IDIBGI and a psychiatrist in the Intellectual Disability and Mental Health Service at IAS. This set of best practices includes the use of a health passport, adapting medical visits to the patient’s needs, providing sufficient time for consultations, and tailoring communication to the person’s difficulties, among others.
In parallel, the consortium has created an online training program to provide tools for healthcare personnel, professionals, and users to better assist individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The training includes two types of courses, which are free to register for: one for healthcare professionals and students (available in Catalan, Spanish, and English) and another for support professionals (available in Catalan and English).
Overall, the project aims to contribute to a more accessible and inclusive care model for everyone and to ensure the health rights of a frequently vulnerable group. Dr. Aida Palacín, head of the Intellectual Disability and Mental Health Service at IAS, highlighted the importance of the project in achieving these goals.
Meanwhile, Dr. Claudi Camps, assistant director of the IAS Mental Health and Addictions Network, emphasized that “Equal Treatment is a very powerful and cross-cutting tool to improve access to healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities.”
The Equal Treatment project has been made possible thanks to the collaboration of centers in the Girona region, the Girona Biomedical Research Institute, the Institute of Health Assistance (IAS), and the Arnau d’Escala Campus Foundation, along with other European centers.
More information about the project can be found at:
https://dev.idibgi.org/impulsen-un-projecte-europeu-per-millorar-lacces-de-les-persones-amb-discapacitat-intellectual-als-serveis-de-salut/
