TY - JOUR
T1 - The patient journey for people with dementia and their carers in Peru
T2 - From first symptoms to diagnosis and treatment
AU - the IMPACT Salud Research Group
AU - Rossini-Vilchez, Daniela
AU - Tateishi-Serruto, Francisco Jose
AU - Butler, Christopher
AU - Cuba-Fuentes, María Sofía
AU - Perez-Leon, Silvana
AU - Lúcar-Flores, Miriam
AU - Almeida-Huanca, Guillermo
AU - Olaya-Silva, L. Carolina
AU - Miranda, J. Jaime
AU - Cardenas, Maria Kathia
AU - Tudela, Jose Carlos Vera
AU - Bernabe-Ortiz, Antonio
AU - Calvo, Rafael A.
AU - Diez-Canseco, Francisco
AU - Landeiro, Filipa Trigo
AU - Moore, Graham
AU - White, Lee
AU - Whiteley, William
AU - Lazo-Porras, María
AU - Hawkins, Jemma
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2026 The Author(s). Alzheimer's & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.
PY - 2026/7
Y1 - 2026/7
N2 - INTRODUCTION: We explored how people with dementia (PwD) and their carers navigate Peru's health system for diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: We interviewed PwD (n = 4), carers (n = 18), and healthcare workers (n = 17) from four sites. We developed a patient journey map using thematic analysis and participant validation. RESULTS: Three journey stages emerged. Pre-diagnosis: Families seek care across different sub-health systems and facilities 2–4 years after symptom onset. Diagnosis: Specialist consultation is sought in major cities and diagnosis occurs in hospitals based on clinical presentation. Continuity of care: Care focuses on controlling behavioral and psychological symptoms, with limited access to dementia-specific drugs and non-pharmacological interventions, and heavy reliance on carers’ resources. Community mental health centers (CMHCs) are preferred facilities due to geographical and specialist accessibility and perceived care quality. DISCUSSION: Without a formal entry point to dementia care, families navigate fragmented pathways, whereas CMHCs emerge as facilities with adequate care procedures for PwD.
AB - INTRODUCTION: We explored how people with dementia (PwD) and their carers navigate Peru's health system for diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: We interviewed PwD (n = 4), carers (n = 18), and healthcare workers (n = 17) from four sites. We developed a patient journey map using thematic analysis and participant validation. RESULTS: Three journey stages emerged. Pre-diagnosis: Families seek care across different sub-health systems and facilities 2–4 years after symptom onset. Diagnosis: Specialist consultation is sought in major cities and diagnosis occurs in hospitals based on clinical presentation. Continuity of care: Care focuses on controlling behavioral and psychological symptoms, with limited access to dementia-specific drugs and non-pharmacological interventions, and heavy reliance on carers’ resources. Community mental health centers (CMHCs) are preferred facilities due to geographical and specialist accessibility and perceived care quality. DISCUSSION: Without a formal entry point to dementia care, families navigate fragmented pathways, whereas CMHCs emerge as facilities with adequate care procedures for PwD.
KW - caregiver
KW - comorbidities
KW - comorbidity
KW - dementia
KW - diagnosis
KW - fragmented health system
KW - patient journey
KW - Peru
KW - quality of care
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105044824054
U2 - 10.1002/alz.71581
DO - 10.1002/alz.71581
M3 - Artículo
C2 - 42427168
AN - SCOPUS:105044824054
SN - 1552-5279
VL - 22
JO - Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association
JF - Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association
IS - 7
M1 - e71581
ER -