Abstract

Estimation of the global disability prevalence rate in the adult population is 15.6% at World Report on Disability 2011 by World Health Organisation (WHO). In the same report, it was emphasized that the general health status of people with disabilities are in a worse condition compared to the people without disabilities. It was also reported that they need more health care but they have more difficulties to access that care. Recently, the efforts to develop a perfect health care system - also known as the chronic care model- are underway for the disabled population. In Alma Ata declaration (1978), WHO introduced the general structure of the “community-based rehabilitation” for the disabled people, which aimed that they would become independent, active and efficient individuals. Since it's hard to define and classify disability, there are difficulties about collecting data. Standardized and multidimensional classification systems are being developed to overcome these difficulties. “The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)” which has biopsychosocial approach is an integrated system of classification developed by WHO. In Turkey, disability rate is 12.29%. In our country, the project named “'Turkey without Barriers'” began in 2007 and a countrywide attendance was provided by the support of many institutions.

Key words: Disability, primary care, health care models

Article Language: Turkish English