Exploring patient and health care provider perspectives on barriers to diabetic retinopathy screening in public health facilities in North India.

ABSTRACT: Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), can be prevented with early detection and timely intervention. DR is asymptomatic in its early stages, highlighting the importance of screening for accurate referral and effective management. Multiple barriers impede access to diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS), creating significant public health challenges in regions with high DM prevalence. This study explores the perspectives of people with DM (PwDM) and healthcare providers (HCP) on these barriers. A qualitative study using in-depth interviews (IDI) was conducted between October 2022 and January 2023 in Punjab and Chandigarh. Through purposive sampling, IDIs were conducted with 7 PwDM and 19 HCPs, including retina specialists, ophthalmologist

SUBMITTER: Chauhan A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11894220 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature