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Advance Research Journal of Cancer
[ ISSN : 2833-3543 ]


Integration of Palliative Care into Primary Health Care – Model of Care Experience, Saudi Arabia

Research Article
Volume 1 - Issue 1


Sami Ayed AlShammary*, Balaji Durisami , Lobna Saleem1 and Abdullah AlTamimi

Published : April 08, 2020

Abstract

World health organization (WHO) has recognized access to palliative care as a basic human right. Even though, palliative care service had been established in Saudi Arabia over two decades, it is still limited to secondary and tertiary health institutions. Despite the fact that the primary care level is the first line in Saudi health system and covering larger number of populations, palliative care is still far from implementation at this level. Objectives this study is aiming to evaluate the outcome of integration of palliative care service at the primary health care level, and to assess patient’s satisfaction in relation to the service provided from primary health care centre. Results: Total of 200s participated, new patients were 50 and 150 were existing patients for follow up. 110 patients in addition to 200 caregivers attended the clinic. 20% were on active oncology treatment. No show rate was 45%. The overall satisfaction score was 90%. Conclusion: Palliative service integration into primary care is beneficial to improve 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 the PHCCs in Saudi Arabia.