Care-seeking and treatment pathways of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients: an analysis of real-world data from regional health information system in Ningbo City in Eastern China

OBJECTIVES: The patient pathway of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in China is an essential but not well-studied area. This study aimed to understand the alignment between patient-initiated care-seeking demands for MDR-TB and the availability of diagnostic and treatment services in Ningbo, a city in eastern China, using patient pathway analysis (PPA). METHODS: We collected the diagnostic and treatment data of 240 patients with MDR-TB in Ningbo from 2015 to 2019. Using patient pathway analysis, we matched the medical data of patients from different medical institutions and mapped their care pathways to illustrate their access to medical services. RESULT: = 8) of patients were not diagnosed at the fourth visit and remained at level 2, 1, and 0 medical institutions, respectively. CONCLUSION: The care-seeking pathway of patients with MDR-TB in Ningbo is complex. This indicates room for improvement in local diagnosis and referral services. There is a need to promote the deployment of MDR-TB screening, diagnosis, and treatment services at lower-level institutions.