Analyzing the scientific experience of the countries participating in this project, presented in the articles, it is clear that there is little research on adults with intellectual disabilities. In particular, there is a lack of research on health care professional preparation and professional performance challenges when working with people with intellectual disabilities. Representatives of social sciences study this phenomenon more widely from the point of view of social services and provision. A lot of research is being done on children with autism spectrum disorder. However, there is little research focusing on the preferences of adults with intellectual disability.
Literature review consists of two parts. The first part presents the most important scientific facts about people with intellectual disabilities statistics, causes, symptoms. The phenomenon of disability is analyzed in medical (clinical) and social inclusion approach, which is also important for health care institutions. Presents scientific facts about people with intellectual disabilities health problems – mental and physical. In this way, we will pay a big attention to communication with people with intellectual disabilities and the conditions for ensuring their safety and access to quality health care services. The second part presents and analyzes legal documents related to equal opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities in receiving healthcare services in Europe.
Intellectual disability is an object of interdisciplinary research, which is analyzed by representatives of biomedicine, health care and social sciences. Deficits in intellectual functioning and difficulties in social skills and socialization are the main features that characterize individuals with intellectual disabilities. The rate of intellectual disability reaches 2 percent in the EU countries and in the world. The causes of these disabilities are varied and often unclear, but genetic, social and psychological factors are believed to play a role. IQ test score 70 or bellow indicates intellectual limitations.
The literature review shows that people with intellectual disabilities are more likely to be hospitalized and they are also at a higher risk of dying of respiratory and circulatory diseases at a younger age than the general population in high-income countries, although the disease in some cases are likely to be preventable. The lack of adequate prevention measures in place and the vulnerability of these population groups are related to risk factors such as ageing, medication, obesity, demographics, but also non-participation and specifically the lack of face-to-face appointments with clinicians.
Health care professionals need to develop their skills and knowledge in order to better support the health literacy and communication needs of patients with intellectual disabilities. Developing the competencies of health care workers is a necessary condition for the provision of quality health care services to patients with intellectual disabilities and the performance of effective professional functions. Capacity building and improving the knowledge of service providers was identified as a way of improving access, particularly in relation to improving the quality of services.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is the first binding international human rights instrument specifically related to disabilities. Official approval, accession and ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) vary by countries. The document of the World Health Organization – WHA74.8 Resolution on the highest attainable standard of health for persons with disabilities, recognizes that people with disabilities are still more likely to be unable to get access to essential health services, public health functions, medicines, and treatment, due to environmental, financial, legal and attitudinal barriers in society, including discrimination and stigmatization, as well as lack of reliable and comparable data.