The quality of medical care of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the Russian Federation

Abstract

The quality of medical care for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the Russian Federation is analyzed taking into account the cooperation of patients. Two hundred and fifty-one patients with ALS were observed. Ninety-nine patients, including 16 who were followed up, were examined. Other patients (n=152) were consulted indirectly including 28 followed up. It has been shown that 79.8% of the patients are characterized by the low level of cooperation with neurologists regardless of the quality of medical care; 8.3% of patients are managed in facilities (or by physicians), which don't use the International standard of ALS management. Only 11.9% of patients receive medical care in accordance with this standard and in these cases, the high level of cooperation of the patients with medical services was recorded. A dual system that combines the services provided by medical insurance, private treatment facilities, charity organizations, structures of medical/social care with different levels of availability and methods of consumer-provider interactions is the most effective.