Mixed Methods Study of Care Pathway and Delay in Obtaining Health Services by Breast Cancer Patients in India.

Delay in receiving treatment or untimely discontinuation can impact patient survival. This study addresses the literature gap in knowledge about care pathway of patients following initiation of treatment, quantifies the delays in obtaining healthcare services and explores the challenges faced by them in this process.

Methods: A concurrent triangulation mixed method study was conducted. All breast cancer patients above 18 years, who were aware of their diagnosis and whose treatment had commenced were included with their consent. The final sample size was 150. Patient pathway was documented through in-depth interviews and delay in access, diagnosis, and various treatment modalities was quantified after reviewing patient records. Factors associated with overall delay (from onset of symptoms to initiation of treatment) were identified by bivariate analysis. Inductive thematic analysis of interviews was done to identify reasons for delay.

Results: Of 150 patients, 111 (74%) consulted at least two healthcare facilities and 75 (50%) consulted only government facilities during their treatment.  Majority, 124 (82.6%) patients faced delay in their care pathway; 88 (58.6%) experienced overall delay (median duration 109 days) which was significantly associated with patient's education and caregiver's occupation (p<0.05), and 48 (32%) out of 149 women were delayed in initiation of chemotherapy. Median access, diagnostic and treatment interval were 60 days, 20 days, and 6 days respectively. Median duration between surgery and chemotherapy, and surgery and radiotherapy was 10 days and 139 days respectively. The major themes that emerged in access delay were neglect, avoidance, and reliance on family. Diagnostic delay included themes of misdiagnosis and difficulty in navigating healthcare systems. Treatment delay included themes of misconceptions, avoidance, neglect, and affordability and accessibility of services.

Conclusion: Majority of the patients visited at least two facilities and experienced delay in receiving healthcare services. Both patient and provider side challenges were responsible for delay.