TY - JOUR
T1 - Patient perspectives and barriers in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration in Denmark
T2 - A qualitative study
AU - Thinggaard, Benjamin Sommer
AU - Pedersen, Maria
AU - Sorensen, Torben Lykke
AU - Grauslund, Jakob
AU - Stokholm, Lonny
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2023.
PY - 2023/11/28
Y1 - 2023/11/28
N2 - Objectives This qualitative study aims to identify patient-reported barriers to treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and investigate their impact on quality of life. Design Using a qualitative explorative design. Setting Semi-structured individual or dyadic interviews were conducted with patients and their relatives. Participants Twenty-one patients completed the interview, with four of them having a relative present. Interventions Gadamer's hermeneutics guided the epistemological approach, and maximum variation sampling was employed to capture diverse patient experiences. An advisory board consisting of patients, relatives and ophthalmologists ensured the relevance of the study. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo software. Primary and secondary outcome measures To investigate patient-reported barriers to the recommended treatment for nAMD and impact on quality of life. Results The study included 21 patients with nAMD, with a median age of 79 years. Five themes emerged: (1) good compliance with intravitreal treatment, (2) the dual role of relatives, (3) treatment commute, (4) hospital barriers, (5) preventive health literacy. Conclusion This study highlights the resilience and adherence of patients with nAMD in Denmark to their treatment despite various barriers. While the therapy may have negative effects on their well-being, patients do not opt out of treatment. These findings underscore the importance of personalised treatment plans that provide, for example, convenient access to care and clear future agreements at the hospital. By adopting more patient-centred approaches, healthcare providers can enhance patient satisfaction and improve treatment adherence, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and quality of life.
AB - Objectives This qualitative study aims to identify patient-reported barriers to treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and investigate their impact on quality of life. Design Using a qualitative explorative design. Setting Semi-structured individual or dyadic interviews were conducted with patients and their relatives. Participants Twenty-one patients completed the interview, with four of them having a relative present. Interventions Gadamer's hermeneutics guided the epistemological approach, and maximum variation sampling was employed to capture diverse patient experiences. An advisory board consisting of patients, relatives and ophthalmologists ensured the relevance of the study. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo software. Primary and secondary outcome measures To investigate patient-reported barriers to the recommended treatment for nAMD and impact on quality of life. Results The study included 21 patients with nAMD, with a median age of 79 years. Five themes emerged: (1) good compliance with intravitreal treatment, (2) the dual role of relatives, (3) treatment commute, (4) hospital barriers, (5) preventive health literacy. Conclusion This study highlights the resilience and adherence of patients with nAMD in Denmark to their treatment despite various barriers. While the therapy may have negative effects on their well-being, patients do not opt out of treatment. These findings underscore the importance of personalised treatment plans that provide, for example, convenient access to care and clear future agreements at the hospital. By adopting more patient-centred approaches, healthcare providers can enhance patient satisfaction and improve treatment adherence, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and quality of life.
KW - epidemiologic studies
KW - medical retina
KW - ophthalmology
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85178495474&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077175
DO - 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077175
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 38016793
AN - SCOPUS:85178495474
SN - 2044-6055
VL - 13
JO - BMJ Open
JF - BMJ Open
IS - 11
M1 - e077175
ER -