فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

BACKGROUND: People living with noncommunicable diseases (PLWNCDs) are oftendisproportionately affected due to adverse interaction with socioecological and biological factors.Hence, it is imperative to learn from their lived experience to gain a greater understanding ofinteractions as well as explore their priorities and needs in accessing care and identify areas ofpriority action through multistakeholder engagement.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The qualitative study with grounded theory approach wasconducted between October and December 2020. An online key‑informant interview with the healthpolicymaker, virtual group discussion with eight PLWNCDs, and in‑depth telephonic interviewswith five PLWNCDs were conducted, after obtaining informed consent using interview guide,developed, and validated by the experts. Data collection continued till data saturation was achieved.Transcripts generated from the interview recordings were coded using hand‑code technique andanalyzed thematically.RESULTS: Challenges faced by PLWNCDs in accessing care were lack of empathy and supportfrom health‑care professionals, stigma, financial hardship, and hospital overcrowding. Caregiversemphasized on the felt need to involve civil society organizations (CSOs) in raising awareness towardnoncommunicable diseases (NCDs) at family, community, and policymaking levels. The need forhome‑based NCD care and rehabilitation centers was voiced by the PLWNCDs. Impediments towardeffective implementation of NCD policies were adoption of a “top‑down” approach, poor awarenessabout government health insurance schemes, skewed distribution of empanelled hospitals in andaround cities, nonavailability of qualified health‑care professionals in underserved areas, aggravatedallocation‑utilization disparity during COVID‑19 pandemic, and lack of robust information technologyinfrastructure to support access to telemedicine services.CONCLUSION: The collective role of governments, CSOs, and health‑care providers, along withmeaningful involvement of PLWNCDs, would help to create an enabling environment for overcomingthe challenges of access to care and thus achieve universal health coverage.