Primary health care professionals’ experiences with caring for patients with advanced Huntington’s disease: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Huntington’s disease (HD) has substantial impact on patients and carers’ lives. Managing patients in the advanced phase of HD may be challenging to primary health care professionals. The aim of this study is to elicit health care professionals’ experiences of managing the challenges with patients with advanced HD in primary health care. Methods: We did a qualitative study, collecting data from four focus group interviews with 22 primary health care professionals who had experience with caring for patients with HD in Norway. The data were analysed using a qualitative content analysis method, systematic text condensation. Results: We found that health care professionals who care for patients with HD in primary health care experience challenges related to patients’ behaviour, family members and caregivers, professionals’ individual competency, and the organizational context. They conveyed that successful care and management of patients with advanced HD was dependent on individuals’ competency and “everyday tactics”, well-functioning teams, and leadership and organizational support. Conclusion: In addition to individual competencies, including being personally suitable for the job, well-functioning primary care teams, and organization support and training is important for health care professionals’ ability to manage patients with advanced HD in primary health care.