To estimate the treatment outcomes among individuals treated for hypertension in the public sector in 89 districts across 15 states in India and to identify the risk factors for uncontrolled blood pressure (BP).
An analysis of a cohort of people with hypertension from 2018 to 2022 from public sector health facilities.
All India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) implementing districts using digital information systems across 15 states of India, namely Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
Individuals aged 30 years or older, who were diagnosed with hypertension or on medication at the time of registration between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2021 were included in the study.
Treatment outcomes were controlled BP, uncontrolled BP and missed visits in the reporting quarter (1 January 2022–31 March 2022). We analysed the risk factors for uncontrolled BP.
Out of 1, 235, 453 hypertensive individuals enrolled in the IHCI project across 15 states, 1, 046, 512 remained under care, with 44% BP control. The control varied from 26% to 57% in various types of facilities. The states of Maharashtra, Punjab and Rajasthan had above 50% control, while Nagaland, Jharkhand and Bihar had below 25%. BP control declined from 68% when defined using a single recent reading to 52% when defined using the two-visit readings. Younger individuals (
We documented the implementation of IHCI strategies at scale and measured treatment outcomes in a large cohort. Overall, BP control improved with variations across states. We need focused strategies to improve control in higher-level facilities, among males and people with diabetes. Using two BP readings may support consistent treatment adherence.
The emergency department (ED) often serves as a crucial pathway for cancer diagnosis. However, little is known about the management of patients with new suspected cancer diagnoses in the ED. The objective of this study was to explore emergency physicians’ experiences in managing patients with a newly suspected cancer diagnosis in the ED.
Between January and April 2024, we conducted a qualitative descriptive study. Interviews were conducted by trained research personnel using a semistructured interview guide. Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was achieved. The interview transcripts were coded and thematic analysis was used to uncover key themes.
Emergency physicians practising in Ontario, Canada.
20 emergency physicians were interviewed. Four themes around the management of patients with new suspected cancer diagnoses in the ED were identified: (1) healthcare system-level factors that impact suspected cancer diagnosis through the ED, (2) institutional and provider-level challenges associated with managing patients with a suspected cancer diagnosis in the ED, (3) patient-level characteristics and experiences of receiving a cancer diagnosis in the ED and (4) the need for care coordination for patients with suspected cancer in the ED.
Physicians experienced several unique challenges in managing patients with a suspected cancer diagnosis in the ED. Overall, the findings of this study suggest these challenges often make the ED a difficult environment in which to deliver a suspected cancer diagnosis.