[MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SUPPORT OF CHRONIC PATIENTS: OLD PROBLEMS, NEW SOLUTIONS]

The purpose of the article is to study approaches to medical and social support of patients with chronic diseases in Russia and abroad in order to identify possible ways to solve emerging problems in this area of modern healthcare development. The reasons of comorbidity (polymorbidity), disadvantages of algorithms for accompanying patients with two or more chronic diseases, models of management of patients with chronic diseases and priorities of their use are considered. Based on the analysis of Russian and foreign publications, as well as the systematization of the opinions of experts interviewed during the scientific and practical expert session conducted by the authors (April 2022), conclusions are drawn about existing problems and possible ways to solve them. A proposal has been put forward to organize an information and coordination center for the support of patients with two or more chronic diseases. The purpose, tasks (and the order of their solution), the structure of the center, the need for the work of a curator leading patients (and who can perform the duties of a curator), the possibilities of integrating types of care (medical, social, psychological) to patients who need to be accompanied by specialists-representatives of organizations of very different orientation: medical, rehabilitation, social and preventive. It is shown that the increase in the number of polymorbid patients is a serious burden for modern healthcare systems around the world, and requires the search for effective approaches to solving the problem. The importance of self-preserving behavior of patients and the responsibility of the person himself for adherence to the treatment and prevention of diseases, as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle is emphasized.