| Abstract [eng] |
Currently, EM services provision faces with challenges: aging population, various diseases and their caused complications, unjustified calls, lack of technical infrastructure, personnel etc. Therefore, internationally are being sought solutions for EM services provision and organization improvement with purpose to ensure better patients` health outcomes and their needs, to increase efficiency of EM services and reduce expenses. Theoretical and empirical research revealed that existing studies do not contain the proposed criteria for EMS models suitability and application analysis. This is a scientific gap that needs to be filled – to analyze in detail different EMS models application according to systematized criteria for models suitability and application analysis. Therefore, study raises the question – what EMS models and under what conditions can be integrated and applied in Lithuania? Research object – models of emergency medical services. Project goal – after analyzing different models’ emergency medical services provision, determine their suitability to EM services system and their adaptation to Lithuanian health system. Research objectives: 1. To base theoretically criteria for analysis of emergency medical services delivery models suitability and applicability. 2. To analyze application of emergency medical service delivery models in international context. 3. To assess suitability and application of emergency medical service delivery models in Lithuanian healthcare system. A convergent mixed methods research design was chosen to implement stated research objectives. For data collection were chosen methods of document analysis, semi-structured interview, and statistical data analysis. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics, comparative analysis of indicators, thematic content analysis, criteria analysis methods. Prepared consistent criteria system for EM services delivery models analysis, creating conditions for EM service provision models analysis, assessing their suitability in the context of Lithuanian EM services system. Study found that Lithuanian health system applies mixed EMS model. Strengths of this model are flexibility, accessibility of services, efficient use of resources. Weaknesses of the model are uneven services quality, lack of human resources, limited accessibility in remote regions. After emergency medical service delivery models in Lithuanian suitability and application of assessment it was determined that the most suitable for Lithuania is the hybrid - telemedicine and community-based models EMS models. Integration of these models is consistent with suitability and applicability criteria. Integration of these model elements would enable existing EM service provision model improvements: increase of service provision efficiency and quality, increase of services accessibility regardless of geographical location, financial resources optimization, solution of human resources lack problem. The project consists of three parts: theoretical justification of EM service models - developed criteria for EM services models suitability and application analysis; analysis of EM services delivery models application in the international context; EM services delivery models suitability and application in Lithuanian health system research results. |
