Algorithm for Creating a Multidisciplinary Team in the Palliative Care System

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to develop an algorithm for organizing the work of a multidisciplinary palliative care team in a territorial community. Materials and Methods: The following methods were employed: analysis of the regulatory framework, statistical data, international and domestic experience, scientific literature, opinion survey, strategic sessions, participant observation. The field research was conducted by the Center for Social Research of Sumy State University together with the NGO “Family Circle of Trostianechchyna (Trostianets district)” in the Trostianets territorial community of Sumy region (Ukraine) during September-October 2021. Eighty respondents took part in the survey. Up to 30 people joined the strategic sessions at different stages. Results: The survey discovered that at the research time in the pilot territorial community, the needs of palliative patients were more restrained than those who rendered assistance. However, in both cases, there is a high demand for social services against the background of medical services. Proceeding from the identified needs and by the results of strategic sessions, we proposed an algorithm for organizing the work of a multidisciplinary palliative care team at the territorial community level. The algorithm distinguishes between the program and operational levels. We put forward the structure of the interdisciplinary palliative care team. Conclusions: As a conclusion, we can specify the following points. The study confirmed the hypotheses that the basics of the identified needs and the use of strategic sessions with multidisciplinary participation of community members facilitate the development of an efficient algorithm. The designed operational level of the interdisciplinary team recorded the practices available in the pilot community. Simultaneously, the collaborative design determined the development of the multidisciplinary team itself. The involvement of management representatives, junior medical staff, and social workers became an essential factor in their inspiration, contributing to the development of human resources for a new level of quality in palliative care.