Dataset Information

Ophthalmologists' and patients' perspectives on treatments for diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy in Vietnam: a descriptive qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Globally, diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in working-aged adults. Early detection and treatment of DR is essential for preventing sight loss. Services must be available, accessible and acceptable to patients if we are to ensure they seek such care.

Objectives

To understand patients' knowledge and attitudes towards laser versus antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections to treat DR in Vietnam, and to identify factors Vietnamese ophthalmologists consider when making treatment decisions.

Methods

This is a descriptive qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with 18 patients (12 from Ho Chi Minh City and 6 from Hanoi) plus individual interviews with 24 ophthalmologists working in eye clinics in these cities. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results

In total, 10/24 (41.7%) ophthalmologists were female, and their median age was 41 years (range 29-69 years). The median age of patients was 56.5 years (range 28-72 years), and 7/18 (38.9%) were female. Briefly, factors that influence DR treatment decisions for ophthalmologists are medical considerations (ie, severity of disease, benefits and risks), availability (ie, treatment and resources) and patient-related factors (ie, costs and adherence). Patient's perceived barriers and facilitators to treatments were based on patient and family related factors (ie, treatment and transportation costs) and previous treatment experiences (ie, positive and negative). Recommendations by all participants included ensuring that both laser and anti-VEGF injections are widely available across the country and controlling costs for patients and the healthcare system.

Conclusions

Reducing DR treatment costs, optimising treatments options, and expanding the network of clinics offering treatment outside metropolitan areas were the main issues raised by participants. These findings can help inform policy changes in Vietnam and may be generalisable to other low-resource settings.

SUBMITTER: Curran K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9263907 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Ophthalmologists' and patients' perspectives on treatments for diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy in Vietnam: a descriptive qualitative study.

Curran Katie K Lohfeld Lynne L Congdon Nathan N Peto Tunde T Hoang Tung Thanh TT Nguyen Hue Thi HT Nguyen Quan Nhu QN Nguyen Van Thu VT Dardis Catherine C Tran Hoang H Tran Hoang Huy HH Vu Anh Tuan AT Tung Mai Quoc MQ

BMJ open 20220707 7

<h4>Introduction</h4>Globally, diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in working-aged adults. Early detection and treatment of DR is essential for preventing sight loss. Services must be available, accessible and acceptable to patients if we are to ensure they seek such care.<h4>Objectives</h4>To understand patients' knowledge and attitudes towards laser versus antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections to treat DR in Vietnam, and to identify factors Vietnamese ...[more]

PMID: 35798521

Similar Datasets

Project description:IntroductionFew qualitative studies have explored the patient experience of daily life with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and associated treatments. Herein, a conceptual model was developed to comprehensively examine symptoms, functional impacts, and treatment experiences in PDR.MethodsA qualitative, mixed-methods study comprising a literature search and semi-structured interviews with clinicians and patients was conducted. Published literature and online patient resources were searched to identify concepts relevant to patients, including symptoms, functional impacts, and treatment experiences of PDR. Semi-structured interviews with experienced clinicians were conducted to identify symptoms and impacts reported by patients with PDR and to receive feedback regarding concepts identified from the literature search. A preliminary conceptual model was then developed based on findings from the literature search and clinician interviews. Patients with PDR participated in two rounds of semi-structured interviews to identify additional concepts relevant to the patient experience in PDR and associated treatments, which informed revisions to the conceptual model. Saturation of patient interviews was assessed.ResultsFindings from the literature search and clinician interviews yielded 109 concepts that were included in a preliminary conceptual model with three overarching domains: symptoms, impacts, and managing the disease. Clinicians confirmed concepts identified from the literature search. During interviews, patients reported a broad spectrum of symptoms (e.g., red vision); functional impacts relating to activities of daily living (e.g., reading), emotional functioning (e.g., loss of independence), and social functioning (e.g., problems recognizing faces); and treatment experiences (e.g., improves eye problems, no change) associated with PDR. Additional concepts elicited in patient interviews informed revisions to the conceptual model. Saturation was achieved in the patient sample.ConclusionsA wide variety of symptoms, functional impacts, and treatment experiences that significantly affect health-related quality of life were identified in patients with PDR. These insights are critical for understanding PDR symptomology and assessing treatment response.

Dataset Information

Ophthalmologists' and patients' perspectives on treatments for diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy in Vietnam: a descriptive qualitative study.

Introduction

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Ophthalmologists' and patients' perspectives on treatments for diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy in Vietnam: a descriptive qualitative study.

Similar Datasets

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