Advancing Toward Human Rights-Based Care: The QualityRights Experience in Catalonia

Authors

  • Magda Casamitjana i Aguilà Coordinadora en Cataluña del proyecto QualityRights de la Organización Mundial de la Salud para la Fundación Hospitalarias y la Orden Hospitalaria de Sant Joan de Déu. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5538/2385-703X.2026.32.3

Keywords:

Human Rights, Mental Health Services, Psychiatric Nursing, Quality of Health Care, Patient-Centered Care, Restraint, Physical, Decision Making, Shared, Personal Autonomy

Abstract

The article outlines the implementation of the WHO QualityRights initiative in Catalonia during 2025 across adult inpatient mental health facilities, led jointly by Sant Joan de Déu and Fundación Hospitalarias with the support of the Mental Health and Addictions Master Plan. Through an initial diagnostic assessment of five core human rights domains, the project showed largely positive results while identifying key areas for improvement, such as reducing coercive practices, enhancing shared decision-making, and creating more welcoming environments. Within this framework, it highlights the crucial role of nursing professionals in driving a cultural shift toward person-centered care focused on recovery, personal autonomy, and full respect for human rights.

References

Eaton J. Establishing accountability and promoting rights: the WHO QualityRights contribution to mental health, recovery and community inclusion. BJPsych Open. 2025;11(5):e212.

Funk M, Drew Bold N, Muturi C, Lazeri L, Kalina O, Martínez-Viciana C, et al. Breaking stigma, discrimination and promoting rights: global evaluation of the World Health Organization QualityRights e-training on mental health, recovery and community in-clusion. BJPsych Open. 2025;11(5):e185.

Generalitat de Catalunya. National Mental Health Pact. Barcelona: Departament de la Presidència; 2022. Disponible en: https:// presidencia.bibliotecadigital.gencat.cat/handle/20.500.14623/2037

World Health Organization (WHO). QualityRights Tool Kit: assessing and improving quality and human rights in mental health and social care facilities. Ginebra: WHO; 2012. Disponible en: https://iris.who.int/server/api/core/bitstreams/204df45f-b453-4e86-8954-ca8e6f99fc45/content

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Published

2026-09-01

Issue

Section

Editorial