Evaluation of cooperation between social and health care services for persons with chronic diseases in Latvia

To assess current availability of social services and cooperation status between health and social service providers as well as the need for support for persons with chronic diseases. Study includes analysis of the structure of social services received by persons with chronic diseases in 2017-2019, assessment of current regulation and two internet-based surveys: for representatives of municipality social departments (N=100) and social service providers (N=86). Survey questions were developed based on Chronic Care Model. The results were validated in four focus groups of social care providers and chronic disease patients. In majority of cases (71% for granting social service and 66% for granting social support) chronic disease status is not identified. It is available in 55% of cases, when social service providers identify information about chronic disease status, in 35% of cases social departments identify information about chronic disease when granting access to social support, and in 20% of cases when granting rights to receive social services. Currently cooperation between social and health care providers is insufficient: there is no unified approach for collection and providing access to information about persons’ chronic disease and related needs. At the same time, social departments and social service providers recognize the need for full information and the establishment of a sustainable cooperation mechanism for the provision of social services.