Conference paper
SERVICES FOR PATIENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY AND MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS IN POLAND
Krzysztof Krysta
; Department of Rehabilitation Psychiatry, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
Janina Krysta
; Polish Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability, Branch in Bytom, Poland
Anna Szczegielniak
; Clinical Department of Psychiatry in Tarnowskie Góry, Medical Univerity of Silesia, Katowice, Poland SUMMARY
Marek Krzystanek
; Department of Rehabilitation Psychiatry, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
Abstract
Background: Poland is a democratic, sovereign state in Central Europe, member of the European Union. The healthcare in
Poland is delivered to patients mainly through a public contributor called the National Health Fund, supervised by the Ministry of
Health. The care for people with disabilities, including intellectual disabilities in Poland is coordinated by the Governmental
Program on Activities for People with Disabilities and their Integration with the Society. The system of care for people with
intellectual disability in Poland is constitutionally guaranteed. The aim of this review was to analyze the different forms of care for
persons suffering from intellectual disability and mental health problems in our country.
Methods: Analysis of available documents on the policy and organizations of systems of services for this group of patients
was performed.
Results: Non-governmental organizations play an important role in taking care of people with disabilities. In Poland there are
no special psychiatric services dedicated for patients with intellectual disabilities. The comorbid psychiatric disorders are treated in
general psychiatric wards or hospitals or in outpatient settings. Offenders with intellectual disabilities in the penitentiary system are
referred to therapeutic settings in wards for convicts with non-psychotic mental disorders and intellectual disabilities. Training of
medical students and young doctors offers only very limited basic knowledge on intellectual disability within psychiatry curriculum.
The is no separate specialty in mental health in intellectual disability within psychiatry.
Conclusions: The main conclusion of this review is that the specialist working with persons suffering from intellectual
disabilities in Poland face many challenges regarding the need to introduces positive changes in this field.
Keywords
intellectual disability; mental health; comorbidity; special education; rehabilitation; national program
Hrčak ID:
264168
URI
Publication date:
4.9.2019.
Visits: 577 *