Transforming disability assessment in Albania: progress and challenges of the biopsychosocial model

Introduction: Disability assessment in Albania has traditionally relied on a medical model that conceptualises disability as a personal deficit arising from individual impairment. This model has been widely criticised for its stigmatising nature, inefficiency, and limited capacity to improve quality of life for persons with disabilities (PwDs). In 2019, Albania initiated a policy shift towards the biopsychosocial model, which recognises disability as the outcome of complex interactions among biological, social, and psychological factors. Aim: This article reviews the progress of the biopsychosocial model's implementation in Albania since its inception, with particular emphasis on structural barriers and facilitating factors. Methods: A literature review approach was adopted to synthesise legislative, administrative, and academic evidence on the biopsychosocial model's implementation in Albania between 2017 and May 2025. Results: 37 multidisciplinary assessment teams have been established to provide services to PwDs. Financial assistance mechanisms have been operationalised with some success; however, the integration of health and social services remains a critical challenge. Key issues include limited services availability and the lack of a coherent referral system to connect individuals with available services. These shortcomings significantly limit the model's potential to enhance the well-being of PwDs. Conclusion: This policy shift underscores the need for a multidisciplinary and holistic approach that enables context-sensitive assessments of individuals' needs. The article concludes with evidence-based recommendations to address these gaps, calling for a coordinated, multi-sectoral strategy aligned with the biopsychosocial framework to strengthen disability assessment and service delivery in Albania.