Palliative Care in Qatar, 2008-2016

Abstract

With the increase of geriatric population, there is rise in demand for services aimed at improving end-of-life care. Palliative care, through its five-component approach, focuses on improving the quality of life and provide relief from complications of serious illnesses. Although a widely accepted concept in other parts of the world, palliative care is a relatively new concept in the Middle East, having been initiated in Qatar only in 2008. The paper discusses the development of palliative care program in Qatar from its initiation in 2008 to its development until 2016, and aims to delineate a stepwise approach for establishment of a successful palliative care program elsewhere, especially in the Middle East, through the model used in Qatar. Primary research data was obtained through analysis of patient demographics and interviews, and secondary data was attained through literature review using PubMed, CINAHL and Google Scholar respectively. Through its multi-faceted approach, aligning with the national health strategy, meeting the rising demands of Qatar’s population, involving a multi-disciplinary team, focusing on education and research, palliative care in Qatar has established a successful model. It is the first one in the region to get Joint Commission International accreditation, thus aligning in par with the international standards and is striving to meet the emerging needs of Qatar’s population and uphold its title as a successful model.