Possibility of using a questionnaire for self-assessment of the quality of primary health care during the war in Ukraine

Oksana Mykytchak, Yurii Sich, Pavlo Kolesnik, Olha Iakyma, Olha Rusanovska, Ivanna Leta

Keywords: primary health care, quality of care, interviews, questionnaires

Background:

In Ukraine, as well as in some European countries there is a self-reported questionnaire for assessing the quality of primary health care (QPHC) proposed by the Ministry of Health based on the recommendations of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and British-Ukrainian Aid (UKAID). However, during the war in Ukraine, the recommendations may not be effective enough and need to be changed.

Research questions:

To evaluate the limitations of using the self-assessment questionnaire for QPHC from the perspective of heads of primary care settings units in different regions, including "hot spots" of Ukraine and regions remote from military operations.

Method:

A qualitative study to assess the limitations in the use of the QPHC questionnaire proposed by the Ministry of Health.
Data will be based on the interview of the heads of 10 primary care facilities in Uzhhorod and rural region that are located remotely from the front line and provide care to internally displaced patients.
With the help of Ukrainian EURACT members, using the "snowball" methodology, we will involve in a survey the heads of primary health units in different regions, including "hot spots" of Ukraine.

Results:

1st: to conduct a literature review on the availability of QPHC self-assessment methods in European countries for the purpose of comparative analysis with the Ukrainian system, noting similarities and differences. We will search if such questionnaires were used in the countries during crisis.
2nd: interview the heads of PHC Uzhhorod and rural region, located far from the front line.
3rd: to conduct a similar survey among heads of primary care facilities in different regions, including those which are close to the front line.

Conclusions:

This study will allow us to assess the limitations of the QPHC questionnaire during war in Ukraine and to provide an opportunity to improve the quality control system in crisis.

Points for discussion:

1.What methods do you know for self-assessment of QPHC in your country?

2.What methods can you suggest to assess the QPHC in a country at war?

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