IDF Europe Press Release
Wednesday 13 November
Pioneer in therapeutic patient education, Professor
Jean-Philippe Assal, wins 2013 IDF Europe Prize in
Diabetes for Long-Standing Achievement
Brussels, 13 November 2013 – Professor Jean-Philippe Assal was presented with the 2013
IDF Europe Prize in Diabetes for Long-Standing Achievement today at an award ceremony
at the European Parliament in Brussels. The prize was handed over in recognition of his
ground-breaking work in the field of therapeutic patient education.
A diabetologist and endocrinologist by training, Professor Jean-Philippe Assal was
convinced early on that the education of people with diabetes needed to be an integral part
of the care provided by the healthcare team. For this reason, he founded the first Diabetes
Treatment and Teaching Unit at the University Hospital of Geneva in 1975. Working closely
with the World Health Organization, his unit became a WHO Collaborating Centre as from
1983.
“The treatment of diabetes implies changes that affect all aspects of a person’s life: work,
friends, free time, how they eat and how they live”, comments Professor Assal. “For a
majority of people with diabetes, there is a long a complex path towards accepting their
condition and realizing that, if they follow certain rules, they can live a long and healthy life,”
he adds. “As healthcare providers, it is essential that we build a dialogue with the person we
treat and that we accompany them along this long and complex path. With our Foundation,
we have developed creative programmes, theatre of lived experience and painting
workshops, geared towards patients and their difficulties in coping with their disease.”
At the European level, Professor Assal has always been a strong advocate for patient
education and research in diabetes. He is one of the co-founders of the Diabetes Education
Study Group of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). In addition,
Professor Assal is responsible for postgraduate courses on Therapeutic Patient Education
and long-term follow-up strategies in the Foundation he directs.
As part of World Diabetes Day celebrations in the European Parliament in Brussels,
Professor Assal received today the IDF Europe Prize in Diabetes for Long-Standing
Achievement. “We are pleased to hand over the prize to such a prominent figure in diabetes
education”, said João Manuel Valente Nabais, President of IDF Europe. “Through his
outstanding work, Professor Assal has improved the lives of countless people with diabetes
and inspired generations of healthcare providers.”
Professor Assal was present in Brussels to receive the award personally. “It is an honour for
me to receive this prize. This award is recognition of joint ventures with many physicians and
nurses throughout Europe. I owe them so much.” he said.
An initiative led by the European Region of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF
Europe), the Prize in Diabetes for Long-Standing Achievement is supported by an
educational grant from Eli Lilly. “Lilly Diabetes is proud of its commitment to diabetes
education and its long standing partnership with IDF Europe in support of the many
initiatives to help improve the daily lives of people with diabetes. It is a great pleasure to
IDF Europe Press Release
present the prize to Professor Assal and to be a part of recognising Professor Assal‘s
significant life-time contribution in the field of diabetes patient education”, said Kern Briggs,
Senior Director European Public Affairs, Eli Lilly and Company.
Despite having retired, Professor Assal is still actively involved in the field of therapeutic
patient education for diabetes and other chronic diseases. He is the President of the
Foundation for Research & Training in Patient Education in Geneva. In addition, he also
helps several clinical centres to implement patient education strategies in various countries
and continues to organise training workshops for healthcare providers into the field of
creativity and its role in improving the long-term follow-up of patients.
As the winner of the IDF Europe Prize in Diabetes for Long-Standing Achievement,
Professor Assal will receive a cheque of 10,000 euros that he will donate to a charity of his
choice.
-ENDS--------------------Notes to editors:
Press contact
Gaël Bassetto, Communication Officer, IDF Europe
166, Chaussée de la Hulpe, B-1170 Watermael Boitsfort
T: +32 (0)2 639 20 91
M: +32 (0)490 39 89 99
E: gael.bassetto@idf-europe.org
About the IDF Europe Prize in Diabetes
Launched in 2012, the IDF Europe Prize in Diabetes rewards excellence, innovation and
commitment in Diabetes.
This award also aims at increasing awareness of diabetes and recognizing outstanding
individuals who have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of people with diabetes
through their work and through research.
This year, IDF Europe is awarding two prizes: one in the category Long-Standing
Achievement and one in the category Young Researcher.
About the International Diabetes Federation European Region - IDF Europe
IDF Europe is the European Region of the International Diabetes Federation. We are an
umbrella organisation uniting 66 diabetes associations in 47 countries. We represent people
with diabetes and their families, as well as health professionals working in diabetes.
Through our work, we aim to influence policy, increase public awareness and encourage
health improvement, promote the exchange of best practice and high-quality information
about diabetes in all countries throughout the Region.
For more information, visit www.idf-europe.org.