Evaluation of long term care in terms of stakeholders in Turkey

Societies' need for long-term care (LTC) has been increasing due to reasons such as the increase in the elderly population and chronic diseases becoming a priority health problem. The aim of the study is to reveal the problems and solution suggestions in the field of LTC services in Turkey from the perspective of different stakeholders (managers, service providers and recipients). The study was conducted with mixed method. In the qualitative research part, which is the first phase of the study, the opinions of 20 participants, who are managers and experts in the field of LTC, regarding their work and LTC services in Turkey were investigated using the in-depth interview technique. In the second phase of the study, the quantitative research section, a questionnaire was developed for employees and service recipients with the information from the survey form developed based on the findings obtained from the first phase. After the content validity analysis of the questionnaire was performed, it was applied to employees (n=310) and service recipients (n=126). When the opinions of service providers and recipients regarding the problems experienced in the field of LTC are compared; there are significant differences in terms of the adequacy of institutional care services, access to services, sustainability of the service and primary caregivers and the service recipients' participations in decisions/satisfaction (p<0.05). When the opinions of service providers and recipients regarding the problems experienced in the solution suggestions of LTC are compared; there are significant differences in terms of the adequacy of institutional care services, access to services, specialized care services, sustainability of the service and primary caregivers and the service recipients' participation in decisions/satisfaction (p<0.05). It is thought that the results obtained from the research will provide important data and information to support the political decisions to be taken, especially in the field of LTC, and the managerial decisions of public and private institution managers providing LTC services.