A qualitative study to assess the challenges faced by clinicians and patients in the management of uveitis.

• Dr. Thanuja Gopal Pradeep,  
• CHRIS DIANA PIUS,*  
• Deepthi Ramesh,  
• Ananth S. Bhandary

Abstract

Background: Uveitis includes many conditions and requires detailed examination, multiple investigations, referrals, topical and systemic medications and a regular follow up for achieving an effective management. Aims and objectives: To understand the difficulties faced by patients and clinicians alike in the management of uveitis. Methods: After obtaining Institute ethics committee approval, we conducted a focus group discussion amongst eight clinicians involved in care of uveitis patients and semi-structured interviews were conducted on ten uveitis patients of varying educational status to understand their difficulties. Results: Braun and Clarke's six-phase approach was used for to coding and conducting a thematic analysis and six themes with sub themes were identified. Among clinicians, the themes were -Challenges faced in the treatment of uveitis patients ; Identification of gap areas/ support areas; The need for health technology for the management of patients with uveitis The Patients themes identified were- Patients' knowledge of Uveitis and relevant medication prescribed for its treatment; Perceived barriers to uveitis treatment; Opportunities to incorporate mobile health technology into treatment and care. Conclusion: The prominent challenge that was revealed in the study was patient education. It was identified time constraints in a busy clinic, need for multiple referral, investigations, and regular follow ups all played a critical part in effective management of these patients. Both patients and clinicians understood that the problem could be solved by use of technology and both were open to explore the use of mobile health applications as part of the management of the disease.

Keywords

Qualitative research, uveitis, health technology.