DEVELOPMENT OF HOSPICE CARE IN THE CONTEXT OF MODERNIZATION OF HEALTH CARE IN SLOVAKIA SINCE 1948 UNTIL COVID-19 PANDEMICS
DEVELOPMENT OF HOSPICE CARE IN THE CONTEXT OF MODERNIZATION OF HEALTH CARE IN SLOVAKIA SINCE 1948 UNTIL COVID-19 PANDEMICS

Summary/Abstract: Introduction: The structures developed in health system in Slovakia 1948 - 1989 are important precondition of later development of hospice care, however, the period is not adequately examined. Objective: Critical assessment of the development of institutional and legislative framework of healthcare delivery since 1948 and identification of factors that can be associated with development of its organizational forms. Material and Methods: Historical research with use of primary and secondary historical sources and relevant current literature. Legal research, legal hermeneutics, analysis, abstraction of the corpus of legislation in Slovakia. Results: Between 1948 and 1989, universal health coverage became available for severely ill people, but only state-controlled organizations in healthcare were legal. Development of civil society allowed spiritual care and creation of hospices. Further reforms allowed direct patients’ payments for health and social care, but brought a risk, that this can be limiting factor in further increase of hospices, especially due to economic impact of COVID-19 pandemics. Conclusion: Our research supports, that organizational forms of health care delivery to the dying can develop only in the extent that current institutional context allows. Universal health coverage based on solidarity and democratization of society are important prerequisities of hospice care development.

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