Gaps in the Primary Health Level for Cataract Surgery in Type 2 Diabetics Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus requires special management at the primary health level. Despite the easy accessibility to primary health services, gaps are faced such as the inadequate implementation of evidence-based medicine, those related to teamwork, deficient information systems and ethics challenges, erroneous diagnoses, inadequate treatments or other causes that do not generate value for patients, such situations are not uncommon.

Objective: To inquire about the gaps in the primary health level, for the access of type 2 diabetics to cataract surgery

 Methods: A qualitative research of a phenomenological type with a managerial approach was carried out. Management tools and techniques by health processes and Lean-health methodology were used. The field work was carried out in the municipalities of La Lisa, Marianao and Playa where the experiences and expectations of the patients, the criteria of family doctors and ophthalmologists were explored.

Results: The identified gaps are sufficient to explain why many patients do not access cataract surgery in a timely manner. It is evident that three categories (diagnosis, continuity and communication) have the greatest weight, not only because of the gaps they collect, but also because of the ability to generate some corresponding to other categories.