# Unmet health care needs for patients with thyroid disease including thyroid cancer among Bangladeshi population

## TL;DR

This study explores the unmet healthcare needs of Bangladeshi patients with thyroid diseases, including cancer, and suggests awareness as a key solution.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific unmet healthcare needs and proposes targeted solutions for thyroid disease management in Bangladesh.

## Key findings

- Delayed arrival and diagnosis are common issues for thyroid patients in Bangladesh.
- Incomplete treatment and inadequate specialized care are challenges for thyroid cancer patients.
- Improving awareness is highlighted as the most important solution for addressing these issues.

## Abstract

We aimed to identify the unmet health care needs of and proposed potential solutions for patients with thyroid diseases, including those with thyroid cancer, among the Bangladeshi population. We performed a qualitative study using structured interviews with healthcare professionals involved in care management and surgery for thyroid diseases. The interviews were conducted in four hospitals across three large cities in Bangladesh, with participants gathered through convenience sampling. Key findings were categorised and summarised into themes by topic, such as challenges, barriers, unmet needs, and solutions. The most common triggers for visiting the hospital were thyroid (neck) swelling and palpitations. All facilities mentioned thyroid patients’ delayed arrival at the hospital and delayed diagnosis as problems, while incomplete treatment, incomplete follow-up, and inadequate specialised medical care emerged as challenges among thyroid cancer patients, specifically. Solutions to each issue and unmet need among thyroid patients focussed on improving awareness of thyroid disease, with raising awareness being the most important solution.