The patient journey for people with dementia and their carers in Peru: From first symptoms to diagnosis and treatment.
We explored how people with dementia (PwD) and their carers navigate Peru's health system for diagnosis and treatment.
We interviewed PwD (n = 4), carers (n = 18), and healthcare workers (n = 17) from four sites. We developed a patient journey map using thematic analysis and participant validation.
Three journey stages emerged. Pre-diagnosis: Families seek care across different sub-health systems and facilities 2-4 years after symptom onset.
Specialist consultation is sought in major cities and diagnosis occurs in hospitals based on clinical presentation. Continuity of care: Care focuses on controlling behavioral and psychological symptoms, with limited access to dementia-specific drugs and non-pharmacological interventions, and heavy reliance on carers' resources. Community mental health centers (CMHCs) are preferred facilities due to geographical and specialist accessibility and perceived care quality.
Without a formal entry point to dementia care, families navigate fragmented pathways, whereas CMHCs emerge as facilities with adequate care procedures for PwD.
We interviewed PwD (n = 4), carers (n = 18), and healthcare workers (n = 17) from four sites. We developed a patient journey map using thematic analysis and participant validation.
Three journey stages emerged. Pre-diagnosis: Families seek care across different sub-health systems and facilities 2-4 years after symptom onset.
Specialist consultation is sought in major cities and diagnosis occurs in hospitals based on clinical presentation. Continuity of care: Care focuses on controlling behavioral and psychological symptoms, with limited access to dementia-specific drugs and non-pharmacological interventions, and heavy reliance on carers' resources. Community mental health centers (CMHCs) are preferred facilities due to geographical and specialist accessibility and perceived care quality.
Without a formal entry point to dementia care, families navigate fragmented pathways, whereas CMHCs emerge as facilities with adequate care procedures for PwD.
Authors
Rossini-Vilchez Rossini-Vilchez, Tateishi-Serruto Tateishi-Serruto, Butler Butler, Cuba-Fuentes Cuba-Fuentes, Perez-Leon Perez-Leon, LĂșcar-Flores LĂșcar-Flores, Almeida-Huanca Almeida-Huanca, Olaya-Silva Olaya-Silva, Miranda Miranda, Cardenas Cardenas, Tudela Tudela, Bernabe-Ortiz Bernabe-Ortiz, Calvo Calvo, Diez-Canseco Diez-Canseco, Landeiro Landeiro, Moore Moore, White White, Whiteley Whiteley, Lazo-Porras Lazo-Porras, Hawkins Hawkins,
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