LONG-TERM-CARE EXPERIENCE IN SAUDI-ARABIA

The objective of this study was to ascertain the clinical and epidemio logical pattern of long-term care inpatients in Saudi Arabia. A cross- sectional survey of all long-term care inpatients facilities in the Mi nistry of Health was conducted during the period January-June 1994. Tr ained research teams consisting of physicians, social workers, nurses and medical record officers completed a pre-designed data form. They i nterviewed the treating teams: patients and their relatives. The data form consisted of socio-demographic data of patients, the duration of their stay in hospital and their clinical, social and psychological ch aracteristics. In addition, the perceptions and preferences of doctors , patients, and their relatives about patient management in hospital v s home care were sought. Out of all patients, 61.3% were males, while 52.7% were elderly patients (greater than or equal to 60 years of age) . Forty-three percent did not need any nursing care or required only r outine nursing care. The treating doctors believed that 44.9% of patie nts could be cared for at home. However, 45.2% of the patients preferr ed to stay in hospital, while 67.5% of their relatives preferred insti tutional care. It is concluded that there is a need to plan for more c ost-effective facilities for these patients. The proposed health servi ces have to be culturally acceptable in order to encourage patients an d their relatives to utilize them. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd