User perception of quality of care in patient navigation for type 1 diabetes mellitus^*

Objective: to understand the perception of individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus regarding the quality of care provided by a patient navigation program.

Method: descriptive study with a qualitative approach, conducted at a university hospital in southern Brazil. A total of 35 individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus participated. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted via teleconsultation. The data were submitted to thematic content analysis.

Results: of the 35 (100%) participants, 18 (51.4%) were men, with an average age of 45 (±13) years. Two thematic categories and three main topics related to care quality emerged from data analysis: diabetes management (quality of health care provided; knowledge gained during consultations; improvement in self-care practices as a result of received care) and remote and in-person health services (availability of health services during the pandemic; desire for continued access to services provided by nurses; importance of received care).

Conclusion: after analyzing participants’ perceptions, it was understood that the quality of care offered by the patient navigation program is generally positive. Users requested the continuation of this care model, seeing it as an opportunity beyond the challenges and limitations imposed by treatment.

Descriptors
Patient Navigation; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Quality of Health Care; Nursing Care; Patient-Centered Care; Remote Consultation

Highlights

(1) The quality of care provided by the patient navigation program was positive. (2) Patient navigation opens new avenues for research in chronic diseases. (3) Remote patient navigation enabled individualized and high-quality care. (4) Self-care practices in type 1 diabetes can be encouraged through patient navigation.