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Challenges in Effective Referral of Cardiovascular Diseases in Nepal: A Qualitative Study from Health Workers' and Patients' Perspective.
- Source :
- Cardiology Research & Practice; 3/5/2024, Vol. 2024, p1-7, 7p
- Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Background. Nepal, currently facing a high burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which poses the highest mortality rate in the country, does not seem to have a proper referral strategy. This study explored the wide range of factors and challenges that affect the referral system of CVD cases in Nepal. Methods. In this qualitative study, we conducted face-to-face and telephone interviews with purposely selected 57 key participants which included 35 healthcare professionals from tertiary, secondary, and primary levels from Bagmati Province and 22 CVD patients (myocardial infarction and stroke) from Bagmati and Madhesh Provinces. We interviewed them using an interview guide with open-ended questions for in-depth information in a local language and in a private space. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using the thematic approach. Results. The findings indicated that the referral system for CVD cases from primary- to secondary- to tertiary-level care is inadequate and malfunctioning. The major factors affecting referral of CVD cases are centralization of CVD-specific services in few urban areas, inadequate systematic communication between the centers, self-referential, lack of human resources for CVD care, and obstacles to patient transfer due to geographical and financial reasons. Conclusion. A referral system for CVD patients is absent in the context of Nepal. Understanding and addressing key factors that affect the referral system of CVD patients may help to improve cardiac outcomes and ultimately save lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- CARDIOVASCULAR disease prevention
CARDIOVASCULAR disease related mortality
MYOCARDIAL infarction
QUALITATIVE research
SECONDARY care (Medicine)
INTERVIEWING
PRIMARY health care
JUDGMENT sampling
TERTIARY care
PRIVATE sector
SOUND recordings
THEMATIC analysis
ATTITUDES of medical personnel
TELEPHONES
MEDICAL coding
COMMUNICATION
MEDICAL referrals
PATIENTS' attitudes
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20908016
- Volume :
- 2024
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Cardiology Research & Practice
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 175959056
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5583709