The experiences of people living with peripheral neuropathy in Kuwait - a process map of the patient journey

Alkandari, M., Ryan, K. and Hollywood, A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9670-2506 (2019) The experiences of people living with peripheral neuropathy in Kuwait - a process map of the patient journey. Pharmacy, 7 (3). 127. ISSN 2226-4787 doi: 10.3390/pharmacy7030127

Abstract/Summary

Peripheral neuropathy is a neurological disease characterised by pain, numbness, tingling, swelling or muscle weakness due to nerve damage, caused by multiple factors such as trauma, infections and metabolic diseases such as diabetes. In Kuwait 54% of the diabetic population, has peripheral neuropathy. In this exploratory, qualitative study conducted in Kuwait, 25 subjects with peripheral neuropathy took part in one-on-one, semi-structured interviews lasting 45−60 min. Interviews were transcribed, translated into English and coded using NVivo 12. Four individual patient journeys were mapped out in detail, then compared and condensed into a single process map. The remaining 21 interviews were then reviewed to ensure the final map represented all patient journeys. Participants reported similar healthcare pathways for their peripheral neuropathy and faced various difficulties including lack of psychological support, administrative issues (long waiting referral periods, loss of medical documents, shortage of specialists and lack of centralized electronic medical records) and inadequate medical care (shortage of new treatments and deficient follow-ups). Mapping the patient journey in Kuwait showed similar pharmacological treatment to UK guidelines, except that some medicines were unavailable. The map also indicated the need for an integrated referral approach, the use of technology for electronic medical recording and report transmission, alongside education on self-management, coping mechanisms and treatment options for people living with peripheral neuropathy.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/85910
Identification Number/DOI	10.3390/pharmacy7030127
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > School of Pharmacy
Uncontrolled Keywords	peripheral neuropathic pain, diabetes, patient experiences, process map, Kuwait healthcare
Publisher	MDPI
Download/View statistics	View download statistics for this item