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Long-term care experience in Saudi Arabia
S al-Shammari1, J S Jarallah, F Felimban
1Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|March 1, 1997
Summary
This study surveyed long-term care inpatients in Saudi Arabia, finding many elderly patients needing minimal nursing care. A significant number could be cared for at home, but patient and relative preferences favored institutionalization, highlighting a need for cost-effective, culturally acceptable facilities.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Long-term care facilities house a significant elderly population.
- Understanding the clinical and epidemiological patterns of these inpatients is crucial for service planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of long-term care inpatients in Saudi Arabia.
- To assess patient, relative, and physician perceptions regarding hospital vs. home care.
- To inform the development of cost-effective and culturally acceptable long-term care solutions.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted across Ministry of Health long-term care facilities.
- Data were collected via interviews with treating teams, patients, and relatives using a pre-designed form.
- Information gathered included socio-demographics, clinical status, and care preferences.
Main Results:
- The study included a high proportion of elderly (52.7%) and male (61.3%) inpatients.
- 43% required minimal or no nursing care, and 44.9% of doctors believed home care was feasible.
- However, 45.2% of patients preferred hospitalization, and 67.5% of relatives preferred institutional care.
Conclusions:
- There is a clear need for planning more cost-effective long-term care facilities.
- Proposed health services must be culturally acceptable to ensure patient and relative utilization.
- Bridging the gap between clinical feasibility and patient/family preferences is essential for optimal long-term care delivery.