Palliative care in Serbia and Montenegro: Where are we now

• Main Authors: Bošnjak Snežana, Milićević Nataša, Lakićević Jadranka
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Oncology, Sremska Kamenica, Serbia 2006-01-01
• Series: Archive of Oncology
• Subjects: Palliative Care; Organization and Administration; Non MeSH Serbia and Monetengro
• Online Access: http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0354-7310/2006/0354-73100602008B.pdf

Palliative care has not been recognized as a specific discipline by health care professionals and policy makers in Serbia and Montenegro. There is low awareness of palliative care among patients, their families, and the general public. There is no national policy, guidelines, or standards on the organization of palliative/hospice care. There is no legislative framework for palliative care. A disease-oriented instead of a holistic patient approach is still present. The patient's right to the best quality of life is still underrecognized. Provision of care is mainly focused on physical domain, while other aspects of support (social, psychological, emotional, spiritual) are less frequently provided. Much palliative care is delivered by practitioners who are not specialists in palliative care. Availability and accessibility of opioids for medical use is still low and inadequate. Immediate release morphine is not available. The National Task Force for Palliative Care is established under the auspices of the Ministry of Health as well as the first non-governmental organization devoted to palliative care. The first national Palliative Care Guidelines for the management of cancer pain, dyspnea and nausea are prepared and published.