Prioritisation of healthcare services and quality of life discussed at CADENZA event

30 May 2010

As Hong Kong - in common with other big cities - faces an ageing population and finite medical resources, some kind of healthcare prioritisation may become inevitable.  Research has shown that in general, people prefer children to receive medical services first, and they trust doctors to set the priorities for allocating medical resources, based on their health condition.  Today (May 30), the latest stop of the CADENZA 18-District Programme took place at the Ocean Terminal Main Concourse of Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui, addressing the challenging topic of "prioritisation of healthcare resources".

According to recent research on healthcare prioritisation by Dr Benise Mak, CADENZA Fellow and CADENZA Research Assistant Professor, the young and old alike tend to set the highest priorities on "treatment for children" and "high technology services."  Services for the elderly, whether in the community or in hospitals, and including end-of-life care, were ranked among the lowest.  This view was also shared by healthcare professionals.

"It is evident that most people would give priority to the young over the old in distributing a given amount of healthcare services," she said.  "To meet the demands of ageing societies and to meet the needs of all users equitably, healthcare policy needs to acknowledge constraints and the needs for prioritisation.  Both the public and professionals should engage with policy makers in formulating a policy based on cost benefit considerations, as well as an overall societal view of prioritisation that is not based on age alone."

Dr Christopher Lum, Consultant Physician of the Medical and Geriatrics Unit at Shatin Hospital, emphasised that when allocating medical resources, the outcome of the treatment to the patient (rather than to the disease itself) and his quality of life were more crucial factors than age.  He encouraged elderly people to share their expectations on treatment with doctors, as this could help them receive more comprehensive and effective advice on treatment options.

"Doctors are the people who always have the best knowledge on patient's health conditions," Dr Lum explained.  "They are willing to take time to explain different treatment options to patients, their effectiveness and side effects, and what the treatment might mean to the patient if he chooses one over the other.  If elderly people can share their views on their needs and expectations of treatment with doctors, they can be given the treatment recommendations that best fulfil their wishes."

Artistes Pak Yan, Janice Vidal, Aarif Lee, Ella Koon and Charcoal joined the event to help highlight the importance of prioritisation of healthcare services and quality of life through various interactive games.  Members of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team and representatives from the Friends of Yaumatei & Tsimshatsui Society and Friends of Tai Kok Tsui were also on hand to demonstrate the ten Hong Kong Can Do Exercise routines, with the aims of promoting healthy exercise and injecting positive energy into the community. 

Highlights of the programme will be broadcast on RTHK Radio 5's "Brilliant Life" at 4:00 pm on 16 June 2010 (Wednesday).

The CADENZA 18-District Programme is a citywide public education initiative jointly organised by CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors and RTHK Radio 5.  It aims to promote positive ageing and equip the soon-to-be-old with knowledge that can help them continue to live an active and positive life.  Since January 2009, a monthly programme of public interactive events and activities has been taking place in each of Hong Kong's 18 districts in turn.  Details of the programme are available at: www.rthk.org.hk/special/cadenza.

CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors is a project launched by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust with a donation of HK$380 million in 2006.  The project aims at nurturing academic leadership in gerontology and changing the mindset and attitude of the general public through a range of training and public education programmes.  Cross-sectional collaboration between organisations and the implementation of innovative elderly services and programmes are also encouraged in order to bring about a new mode of elderly care services to prepare for a rapidly ageing society.  Details of CADENZA are available at www.cadenza.hk.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become one of Hong Kong's best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city's major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects.  It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city's growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.