Abstract | INTRODUCTION: Regular visits at haemophilia treatment centres (HTCs) in rural regions are often dependent on the access to a private car due to lack of or limited availability of public means. Therefore, a mobile haemophilia outpatient care (MHOC) concept providing home visits to haemophilia patients has been developed by the Saarland HTC, which is located in a rural German region. METHODS: Haemophilia patients and their parents were home visited at least twice (baseline, follow-up) by trained medical staff. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected and interviews were performed asking the patients and parents about their needs and expectations towards such a MHOC. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were enrolled (56 adults, 23 children), 62.0% severely affected, 48.1% on prophylaxis, with a mean age of 37.4 ± 16.4 years (17-78) and 9.8 ± 4.2 years (3-16), respectively. Median travel distance to the HTC was 43.5 km (3-200). Note that 92.4% considered an intense binding to the HTC and a MHOC concept as 'rather/very important' (88.6%). They expected from a MHOC to provide consulting and educating activities, support in elderhood issues and treatment. For 35.4%, a MHOC could currently provide additional support, mainly due to patient's immobility and need of consultancy. They mainly used services in terms of consultancy in social-legal affairs and support in contacting authorities. CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the hypothesis that a MHOC concept is a needful supplement in haemophilia comprehensive care and will improve the challenging haemophilia treatment, especially for those with limited access to HTCs or with disabilities.
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Authors | Hermann Eichler, Christian Schleicher, Sabine Heine, Norbert Graf, Sylvia von Mackensen |
Journal | Hamostaseologie
(Hamostaseologie)
Vol. 38
Issue 3
Pg. 129-140
(Aug 2018)
ISSN: 2567-5761 [Electronic] Germany |
PMID | 29996170
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York. |
Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Ambulatory Care
(methods)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Disease Management
- Feasibility Studies
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Hemophilia A
(epidemiology, therapy)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pilot Projects
- Socioeconomic Factors
- Young Adult
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