ACTA FAC MED NAISS 2008; 25 (2): 81-86

Professional article

THE INDIVIDUALIZED MODELS OF TREATMENT AND HEALTH CARE IN OVERCOMING THE STIGMATIZATION OF PATIENTS WITH TUBERCULOSIS - A “NEEDS - BASED APPROACH”

Milan Radovic,
Lidija Ristic,

Milan Rancic,
Ivana Stankovic

Clinic for Pulmonary Diseases and Tuberculosis – Knez Selo, Clinical Centre Nis

Faculty of Medicine University of Nis Serbia

SUMMARY

Many problems and troubles jeopardize the welfare of patients with tuberculosis (TB), compromising their ability to adequately accept necessary medical care, as well as to complete full treatment regimen. Among the most insidious effects of TB, there are different manifestations of ''marking'' - stigmatization of these patients.

Overcoming the stigmatization is the crucial question in effective TB control, and requires understanding of all medical, social and cultural aspects of this disease, ability for simple and educational communication with patients, their families and local community. Stigmatization antidote is the establishment of ''user-friendly'' treatment service - that way the community can see as many successfully cured patients as possible. Modern means of TB control must be based not only on global DOTS strategy, on the one hand, but also carefully designed interventions in local communities on the other. They represent individualised approach to the patients, referring to their needs from the beginning of the treatment, based on understanding of TB pathophysiology and knowledge of relevant treatment models and health care of these patients. Since the TB patients have variable clinical course, their treatment requires adequate estimation, planning and evaluation on periodical base.

Individualised models of treatment and health care of TB patients are thoughtfully designed, in hospital conditions, to offer the highest quality of treatment and full care of non-judgemental understanding of the patient's needs to all the patients, regardless of their age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disease severity.

Key words:  tuberculosis, stigma, treatment, care