Palliative care improvement should be based on assessing the importance of its elements from the point of view of patients and their closest associates. The Russian Federation is one of the few countries where this task is set and being solved at the state level.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the subjective perception of satisfaction with palliative care by its recipients, their relatives, and legal representatives for an accurate understanding of the effectiveness of the efforts undertaken by the state to improve this type of care.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The analyzed data included the results of a sociological survey of palliative care recipients over 18 years of age; relatives and legal representatives of adults (over 18 years of age) of patients in need of palliative care; relatives and legal representatives of children (under 18 years of age) in need of palliative care. The survey was conducted in September-October 2022 and September-October 2021 through personal interviews at the place of residence of representatives of these target groups and in medical organizations providing palliative care.
RESULTS
The number of respondents who had problems obtaining prescriptions decreased by 3.5 times, according to the assessment of adult patients. The survey of children patients’ relatives showed an increased need for prescriptions by 27.9%, while 84.4% of respondents who needed a prescription received it readily. The study also observed a positive trend in providing timely care to children patients to relieve pain when admitted to a medical organization. According to the respondents’ subjective assessment, pain relief efficiency increased 1.5-fold. The problem of informing patients about the procedure for providing medical products at home also improved significantly; the number of such respondents increased in 2022 to 75.6%. The number of respondents of children patients’ relatives, whom the medical staff informed on this topic, slightly decreased. It shows the need to continue special awareness-building for healthcare providers engaged in palliative care on the importance of correct and comprehensive communication with patients and their legal representatives on all aspects of the treatment process and patient’s rights to the social benefits available.
CONCLUSIONS
In general, the results of a survey of palliative care recipients show a relatively high assessment of respondents’ satisfaction with palliative care and its increase in adult patients and their relatives. Subjective assessments of patients’ physical and psychospiritual state confirm the relevance of palliative care. It is essential to focus on providing conditions for palliative care receivers to make them feel like full-fledged members of society. The study results should help specialists involved in the organization and provision of medical palliative care to develop a system of measures to improve it in the Russian Federation.