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Joseph L, Krishnan A, Lekha TR, Sasidharan N, Thulaseedharan JV, Valamparampil MJ, Harikrishnan S, Greenfield S, Gill P, Davies J, Manaseki-Holland S, Jeemon P. Experiences and challenges of people living with multiple long-term conditions in managing their care in primary care settings in Kerala, India: A qualitative study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305430. [PMID: 38870110 PMCID: PMC11175503 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multimorbidity or multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs), the coexistence of two or more chronic conditions within an individual, presents a growing concern for healthcare systems and individuals' well-being. However, we know little about the experiences of those living with MLTCs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as India. We explore how people living with MLTCs describe their illness, their engagements with healthcare services, and challenges they face within primary care settings in Kerala, India. METHODS We designed a qualitative descriptive study and conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 31 people (16 males and 15 females) from family health centres (FHCs) in Kerala. Interview data were recorded, transcribed, and thematic analysis using the Framework Method was undertaken. FINDINGS Two main themes and three sub-themes each were identified; (1) Illness impacts on life (a)physical issues (b) psychological difficulties (c) challenges of self-management and (2) Care-coordination maze (a)fragmentation and poor continuity of care (b) medication management; an uphill battle and (c) primary care falling short. All participants reported physical and psychological challenges associated with their MLTCs. Younger participants reported difficulties in their professional lives, while older participants found household activities challenging. Emotional struggles encompassed feelings of hopelessness and fear rooted in concerns about chronic illness and physical limitations. Older participants, adhering to Kerala's familial support norms, often found themselves emotionally distressed by the notion of burdening their children. Challenges in self-management, such as dietary restrictions, medication adherence, and physical activity engagement, were common. The study highlighted difficulties in coordinating care, primarily related to traveling to multiple healthcare facilities, and patients' perceptions of FHCs as fit for diabetes and hypertension management rather than their multiple conditions. Additionally, participants struggled to manage the task of remembering and consistently taking multiple medications, which was compounded by confusion and memory-related issues. CONCLUSION This study offers an in-depth view of the experiences of individuals living with MLTCs from Kerala, India. It emphasizes the need for tailored and patient-centred approaches that enhance continuity and coordination of care to manage complex MLTCs in India and similar LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linju Joseph
- Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, India
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Athira Krishnan
- Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, India
| | | | - Neethu Sasidharan
- Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, India
| | | | | | | | - Sheila Greenfield
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Paramjit Gill
- Academic Unit of Primary Care (AUPC) Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Justine Davies
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Semira Manaseki-Holland
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Panniyammakal Jeemon
- Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, India
- Institute of Applied Health Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Kochovska S, Iyer R, Chang S, Ferreira D, Brunelli VN, Kinchin I, Eckert DJ, Clark J, Sandberg J, Ekström M, Currow D, Rajan S. Prevalence, severity and impacts of breathlessness in Indian adults: An exploratory, nationally representative, cross-sectional online survey. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0002655. [PMID: 38696528 PMCID: PMC11065295 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
There are no known estimates of the prevalence, severity and impacts from breathlessness in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to explore the prevalence, severity, self-attributed underlying conditions and impacts of breathlessness limiting exertion in community-dwelling adults in India. This exploratory, population-based online survey recruited a pre-planned sample of 3,000 adult respondents stratified by age, sex and rurality (quotas as per the 2011 Indian National Census). Measures included: demographics; breathlessness limiting exertion (modified Medical Research [mMRC] scale); health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L); and disability (World Health Organisation's Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 12-item questionnaire [WHODAS-12]). Respondents (n = 3,046) had a mean age of 38 years (SD 15); 57% were male, 59% lived in rural areas and 33% had completed 12th grade. Breathlessness limiting exertion (mMRC ≥1) was reported by 44%, mostly attributed to poor nutrition (28%), lung conditions excluding tuberculosis (17%) or anaemia (13%). Compared to those without breathlessness, a higher proportion of people with breathlessness (mMRC ≥1) reported problems across all EQ-5D-5L dimensions. Most people reporting breathlessness (81%) indicated the symptom had adversely affected their normal activities. Disability scores (WHODAS-12 total and individual domains) increased as breathlessness worsened. To conclude, in India, conservative estimates indicate 626 million people live with breathlessness of whom 52 million people live with severe breathlessness. The symptom is associated with poorer health-related quality of life and marked disability, including reduced ability to perform daily activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slavica Kochovska
- Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rajam Iyer
- P.D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sungwon Chang
- IMPACCT, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Diana Ferreira
- Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vanessa N. Brunelli
- Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Irina Kinchin
- Centre for Health Policy and Management, Discipline of Public Health & Primary Care, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Danny J. Eckert
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Joseph Clark
- Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull University, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Jacob Sandberg
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Magnus Ekström
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - David Currow
- Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sujeet Rajan
- Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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Ramani S, Bahuguna M, Spencer J, Pathak S, Shende S, Pantvaidya S, D’Souza V, Jayaraman A. Many hops, many stops: care-seeking "loops" for diabetes and hypertension in three urban informal settlements in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1257226. [PMID: 38264249 PMCID: PMC10803512 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1257226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in urban informal settlements across Lower and Middle Income Countries is increasing. In recognition, there has been interest in fine-tuning policies on NCDs to meet the unique needs of people living in these settlements. To inform such policy efforts, we studied the care-seeking journeys of people living in urban informal settlements for two NCDs-diabetes and hypertension. The study was done in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, India. Methods This qualitative study was based on interviews with patients having diabetes and hypertension, supplemented by interactions with the general community, private doctors, and public sector staff. We conducted a total of 47 interviews and 6 Focus Group Discussions. We synthesized data thematically and used the qualitative software NVivo Version 10.3 to aid the process. In this paper, we report on themes that we, as a team, interpreted as striking and policy-relevant features of peoples' journeys. Results People recounted having long and convoluted care-seeking journeys for the two NCDs we studied. There were several delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation. Most people's first point of contact for medical care were local physicians with a non-allopathic degree, who were not always able to diagnose the two NCDs. People reported seeking care from a multitude of healthcare providers (public and private), and repeatedly switched providers. Their stories often comprised multiple points of diagnosis, re-diagnosis, treatment initiation, and treatment adjustments. Advice from neighbors, friends, and family played an essential role in shaping the care-seeking process. Trade-offs between saving costs and obtaining relief from symptoms were made constantly. Conclusion Our paper attempts to bring the voices of people to the forefront of policies on NCDs. People's convoluted journeys with numerous switches between providers indicate the need for trusted "first-contact" points for NCD care. Integrating care across providers-public and private-in urban informal settlements-can go a long way in streamlining the NCD care-seeking process and making care more affordable for people. Educating the community on NCD prevention, screening, and treatment adherence; and establishing local support mechanisms (such as patient groups) may also help optimize people's care-seeking pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Anuja Jayaraman
- Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action, Mumbai, India
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Nila S, Dutta E, Prakash SS, Korula S, Oommen AM. Patient and caregiver perspectives of select non-communicable diseases in India: A scoping review. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296643. [PMID: 38180969 PMCID: PMC10769076 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Patient-reported measures of encounters in healthcare settings and consideration of their preferences could provide valuable inputs to improve healthcare quality. Although there are increasing reports of user experiences regarding health care in India in recent times, there is a lack of evidence from Indian healthcare settings on the care provided for patients with chronic diseases. METHODS We selected diabetes mellitus and cancer as representatives of two common conditions requiring different care pathways. We conducted a scoping review of studies reporting experiences or preferences of patients/caregivers for these conditions, in PubMed, Global Index Medicus and grey literature, from the year 2000 onwards. Both published and emergent themes were derived from the data and summarised as a narrative synthesis. RESULTS Of 95 included studies (49 diabetes, 46 cancer), 73% (65) were exclusively quantitative surveys, 79% included only patients (75), and 59.5% (44) were conducted in government centres. Studies were concentrated in a few states in India, with the underrepresentation of vulnerable population groups and representative studies. There was a lack of standardised tools and comprehensive approaches for assessing experiences and preferences of patients and caregivers, concerning diabetes and cancers in India. The commonest type of care assessed was therapeutic (74), with 14 cancer studies on diagnosis and nine on palliative care. Repeated visits to crowded centres, drug refill issues, unavailability of specific services in government facilities, and expensive private care characterised diabetes care, while cancer care involved delayed diagnosis and treatment, communication, and pain management issues. CONCLUSIONS There is a need for robust approaches and standardised tools to measure responsiveness of the healthcare system to patient needs, across geographical and population subgroups in India. Health system reforms are needed to improve access to high-quality care for treatment and palliation of cancer and management of chronic diseases such as diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sindhu Nila
- KEM Hospital Research Centre, Rasta Peth, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Eliza Dutta
- Indian Institute of Public Health, Shillong, Pasteur Hills, Lawmali, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
| | - S. S. Prakash
- Department of Biochemistry, Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sophy Korula
- Department of Paediatrics, Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Anu Mary Oommen
- Department of Community Health, Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
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Fatma N, Ramamohan V. Healthcare seeking behavior among patients visiting public primary and secondary healthcare facilities in an urban Indian district: A cross-sectional quantitative analysis. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001101. [PMID: 37669247 PMCID: PMC10479939 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we examined healthcare seeking behavior (HSB) of patients visiting public healthcare facilities in an urban context. We conducted a cross-sectional survey across twenty-two primary and secondary public healthcare facilities in the South-west Delhi district in India. The quantitative survey was designed to ascertain from patients at these facilities their HSB-i.e., on what basis patients decide the type of healthcare facility to visit, or which type of medical practitioner to consult. Based on responses from four hundred and forty-nine participants, we observed that factors such as wait time, prior experience with care providers, distance from the facility, and also socioeconomic and demographic factors such as annual income, educational qualification, and gender significantly influenced preferences of patients in choosing healthcare facilities. We used binomial and multinomial logistic regression to determine associations between HSB and socioeconomic and demographic attributes of patients at a 0.05 level of significance. Our statistical analyses revealed that patients in the lower income group preferred to seek treatment from public healthcare facilities (OR = 3.51, 95% CI = (1.65, 7.46)) irrespective of the perceived severity of their illness, while patients in the higher income group favored directly consulting specialized doctors (OR = 2.71, 95% CI = (1.34, 5.51)). Other factors such as having more than two children increased the probability of seeking care from public facilities. This work contributes to the literature by: (a) providing quantitative evidence regarding overall patient HSB, especially at primary and secondary public healthcare facilities, regardless of their presenting illness, (b) eliciting information regarding the pathways followed by patients visiting these facilities while seeking care, and (c) providing operational information regarding the surveyed facilities to facilitate characterizing their utilization. This work can inform policy designed to improve the utilization and quality of care at public primary and secondary healthcare facilities in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najiya Fatma
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Varun Ramamohan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, India
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