Integration of Palliative Care Into Primary Health Care: Model of Care Experience

Abstract

Background The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized access to palliative care as a basic human right. Palliative care service has been established in Saudi Arabia for more than two decades; however, it is still limited to secondary and tertiary healthcare institutions. While primary care is the first level of care in the Saudi healthcare system and covers the largest amount of the population, palliative care is still far from implemented at this level. Objectives This study sought to evaluate the outcome of integrating palliative care service at the primary healthcare level and assess patient satisfaction with services provided by primary healthcare centers (PHCCs). Results Two hundred patients participated in the study, including 50 new patients and 150 existing patients for follow-up. One hundred ten patients, in addition to 200 caregivers, attended the clinic. Twenty percent were on active oncology treatment. The no-show rate was 45%, and the overall satisfaction score was 90%. Conclusion Palliative care service integration into primary care is beneficial for improving access to early palliative care, and subsequently, improving symptom control, compliance with cancer treatment, quality of life, and overall satisfaction. This model will be implemented in all PHCCs in Saudi Arabia.

COVID-19 and Palliative Care Services: Comparative Patterns of Inpatient, Outpatient, and Consultation Services in a Tertiary Care Center in Riyadh

“…According to the literature, the key factors for patient satisfaction are the time spent by a patient waiting in the outpatient, how long and thoroughly he/she was seen by the physician, the clarity and quality of patient education, and perceived understanding [ 12 ]. Our survey results showed high percentages of satisfaction by the patients who visited the virtual clinics, indicating that these factors were not compromised.…”

Beneficiary’s Satisfaction with Primary Palliative Care Services in Kerala – A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…Measuring patients’ satisfaction provides insightful data on patient’s service experience, identifies underlying issues, assesses the performance of the HC team, and acts as a source of motivation for those who deliver the service. [ 14 - 16 ] In the present study, 69.1% of the patients are satisfied with HC services. This is comparatively lower than the satisfaction level reported in Bangladesh.…”

Application of Medical-Nursing Integration Multidisciplinary-Assisted Surgical Wound Nursing Mode in Improving the Quality of Wound Treatment

“…Trauma refers to the tissue structure and damage caused by external factors acting on the body. In recent years, with the development of industry and economy in China, the turnover rate of surgical trauma beds increases year by year, which brings serious economic losses and disease burden to society and families [ 9 , 10 ]. With the continuous development of medicine and nursing, attention has gradually been paid to the management of wound quality.…”