Invisibility of type 2 diabetic patients for timely access to cataract surgery. 2021-2022

Abstract

Introduction. The visibility of the patient begins with the entity's ability to know them, understand them, individualize them, exceed their expectations and build loyalty. Objective. Investigate the gaps that make type 2 diabetic patients invisible for timely access to cataract surgery. Method. A qualitative phenomenological research with a managerial approach was carried out. Process management tools and techniques in health and Lean-health methodology were used. The field work was carried out at the Ocular Microsurgery Center where the experiences, expectations of patients and the criteria of ophthalmologists were explored. Results. Gaps that caused invisibility for patients: insufficient didactic skills; interrupted continuity; economic insecurity; late diagnoses; care overload; lack of family support; shortage of surgical supplies; non-intersectorality; misdiagnosis; instability of expendable material; insufficient information; human resource deficit; helpless patients; incomplete medical services; gaps in primary services; incomplete exams; obsolescence of surgical and air conditioning equipment; poorly organized services; overwhelmed providers; increased social cost; unmotivated providers; imbalance between load-capacity; deterrent factors; excess of patients; medical centers not accessible; medication instability; insufficient assortment of diagnostic means. Conclusions. The categories: diagnosis, continuity and surgical insurance are the most important, not only in terms of the volume of gaps they contain, but also for their ability to generate other categories.