The Platform of Patient Organizations (POP) emphasizes the need to strengthen socio-health care and redefine the health model to speed up the diagnosis and treatment of chronic patients
The loneliness of chronic patients. EFE/Luca Zennaro
The covid-19 pandemic has shaken all levels of society. However, chronic patients have especially suffered the impact of the health crisis due to the delay in their diagnoses and treatments.
For this reason, the Platform of Patient Organizations (POP) calls for the inclusion in the political-social agenda of the needs of chronic patients who have been affected by the pandemic, under the “Deferred Lives” initiative.
Within this campaign, the organization has prepared a report, called “Study of the impact of Covid-19 on people with chronic illness”, to find out the real situation of chronically ill people.
The study has been carried out by a team coordinated by Maria Gálvez, director of the POP until this week, in which numerous professionals from various health entities have collaborated.
Its main objective is to highlight the postponement of the lives of thousands of chronic patients and specify proposals for improving health care.
The report addresses healthcare and socio-health care, the impact on working life and mental health in Spain.
Deterioration of health care
According to the results, 69% of the patients suffered the cancellation of their scheduled consultations and 41.4% the suspension or postponement of their rehabilitation, with the consequent consequences on their health status.
30.7% of the patients presented different problems in obtaining medication during the alarm state. And only 47.5% have been able to continue treatment normally in outpatient and hospital centers.
Regarding care follow-up, most of it was carried out by telephone, email or telecare and only in 1.8% of cases did the health professional go to the patient’s home.
Almost 70% of unemployed women did not receive benefits
The employment and economic situation of chronic patients was affected, especially that of women. 32% of the sample were active, working full-time, part-time or self-employed.
One in seven patients (14.4%) were unemployed receiving a benefit. However, 69.9% of unemployed women did not receive an economic benefit, while 30.4% of men were in the same situation.
Impact on the mental health of chronic patients
The study highlights that general concern about the health of patients themselves has increased. Some of the most common symptoms are headaches, irritability, difficulty relaxing, and sadness.
The state of alarm, home confinement and uncertainty are some of the factors that have increased negative emotional feelings in those surveyed.
Redefinition of the health model
East report concludes that both health care and treatment of diseases of chronic patients have been affected.
For this reason, the POP points out that “this turning point must be taken advantage of to modify the attention of public health and social services”.
In the report, the experts propose developing more flexible and multidisciplinary structures, which adapt to the needs of the person beyond what is purely health.
To do this, the association launches ten proposals for improvement:
- Prioritize chronic patients based on risk factors
- Promote work and communication between associations, administrations and health agents
- Ensure pharmacotherapeutic follow-up
- Strengthen primary care and create neighborhood support networks
- Teleconsultation as a model of permanent care
- Promote telecommuting
- take care of mental health
- Create caregiver support programs
- Protect health workers and patients
- Launch awareness campaigns on how to protect our health
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