Objective To explore the reasons for delayed medical treatment in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)using the treatment pathway theory as a framework,and to propose corresponding strategies to guide timely medical care for PCOS patients.Methods Purposeful sampling was used to select 14 PCOS patients who sought treatment at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital,the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School between November 2022 and May 2023.Semi-structured interviews were conducted,and directed content analysis was applied to analyze and extract data.Results The delay in seeking medical treatment for PCOS patients ranged from five to 60 months.Four main themes and 11 sub-themes were identified as reasons for treatment delays:misconception and delayed recognition of the disease(misunderstanding of symptoms,intermittent symptom presentation);delayed seeking of medical help(mismanagement of symptoms,feelings of shame,role conflict,distance and financial constraints,lack of social support);delayed diagnosis by healthcare providers(misdiagnosis by healthcare providers,lack of medical resources and services);and delayed participation in treatment(lack of health education from medical staff,no immediate fertility needs).Conclusions Delays in seeking medical care for PCOS patients are common.Efforts should be made to enhance public education on PCOS for adolescent and reproductive-age women,emphasize the management of the disease in patients without immediate fertility needs,improve primary healthcare institutions'capacity for managing PCOS,and mobilize the social support system to encourage patients to seek medical treatment early,thus reducing the occurrence of delayed medical care.
关键词
多囊卵巢综合征/就医延迟/治疗路径理论/质性研究
Key words
Polycystic ovary syndrome/Delayed medical treatment/Treatment pathway theory/Qualitative study
维普
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