The deskguide (operational guideline): |
1) Diagnosis: identifying TB suspects, differentiating TB from similar diseases, TB diagnosis and classification, choosing treatment regimens and dosage; |
2) Preparing TB treatment: educating patients, registering and arranging treatment, arranging and educating treatment supporters, screening household contacts; |
3) Following up: visiting patients, reviewing patients, arranging sputum tests and changing treatment if necessary, retrieving lost patients, and managing patient interruptions; |
4) Determining treatment outcomes: decision on treatment outcomes and ensuring quality of TB management. |
The in-service training module included: |
1) Introduction of the deskguide and how to use a guideline in practice; |
2) Strengthening communication between doctors and TB patients; |
3) Educating patients and choosing a treatment supporter; |
4) Educating the TB supporter; and |
5) Reviewing patients at the county TB dispensary. |
The TB case management deskguide and training module (in Chinese and English) are free for public use by request to the corresponding author or visiting the following website: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/lihs/nuffield/research/guidelines_TBDOTS.htm |