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

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 12; no. 6; p. e8866
• Main Authors: Alshammary, Sami A, Punalvasal Duraisamy, Balaji, Salem, Lobna, Altamimi, Abdullah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Palo Alto Cureus Inc 27-06-2020; Cureus
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease; Cancer; Caregivers; Chronic illnesses; Clinics; Demographics; Family/General Practice; Morphine; Oncology; Pain; Pain Management; Palliative care; Patient satisfaction; Quality of life; Statistical analysis; Saudi Arabia; Riyadh Saudi Arabia
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.8866

BackgroundThe 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.ObjectivesThis 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).ResultsTwo 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%.ConclusionPalliative 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.