Transforming Nursing Practice to Optimize Care of Patients with Tuberculosis and Associated Comorbidities in the Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

TL;DR

This study evaluates patient-centered care for tuberculosis patients with comorbidities in Tanzania, highlighting areas needing improvement.

Contribution

The study assesses the effectiveness of a patient-centered care program for TB patients with multimorbidity in a specific regional context.

Findings

All 39 participants had at least one comorbidity, with TB/HIV and TB/DM being most common.

Patients strongly felt healthcare workers considered their needs, values, and preferences (mean score = 4.53).

Dimensions like family involvement and access to care received high scores, while physical comfort and education had lower rankings.

Abstract

Managing tuberculosis (TB) patients with comorbidities requires a holistic and patient-centered approach. This study evaluated patient-centered care (PCC) experiences among TB patients with multimorbidity under the Adaptive Diseases Control Expert Program in Tanzania (ADEPT), with a focus on the TB/diabetes mellitus (DM) co-epidemic targeted by the program.

A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted involving TB patients with associated comorbidities receiving care from nurses trained in PCC through the ADEPT program. Patients were assessed for their interpretation of how they received PCC across eight dimensions of care.

All 39 participants with TB had at least one comorbidity (100%). The most common multi-morbidities were TB/HIV (59.0%) and TB/DM (12.8%). Evaluation of needs, values, and preferences revealed that participants strongly felt healthcare workers considered these aspects (mean score = 4.53; scale 1 minimum- strongly disagree to 5 maximum- strongly agree). Subsequent analysis showed varying evaluations across dimensions. Patients reported robust endorsement for receiving care that involved family and friends, with mean scores of 4.04, and for access to care, with a mean score of 4.40. However, physical comfort, coordination, continuity of care, education and emotional support received comparatively lower rankings.

TB patients with multimorbidity under the ADEPT program experienced PCC. However, certain systemic issues such as physical spaces, coordination, transition of care, and information education did not meet patient’s needs in their own assessment, indicating opportunities for further quality improvement. Scaling up the ADEPT program within healthcare systems is likely to enhance care provision for TB patients with multimorbidity through a patient-centered approach.