Therapeutic patient education: a major advance in the management of tuberculosis in Togo

Therapeutic patient education: a major advance in the management of tuberculosis in Togo
Extract from the article: The National Tuberculosis Control Programme (PNLT) in Togo is facing a worrying situation. The country is seeing an increase in relapses, patients lost to follow-up, deaths and treatment failures, leading to multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)

The National Tuberculosis Control Programme (PNLT) in Togo is facing a worrying situation. The country is seeing an increase in relapses, patients lost to follow-up, deaths and treatment failures, leading to multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). These challenges highlight the urgent need to adopt an innovative approach to improving the care of TB patients.

The Togolese government, with the support of international organisations such as the WHO and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, is therefore implementing strategies to improve the overall management of tuberculosis. It is in this context that Therapeutic Patient Education (TPE) has been introduced as an essential solution. This initiative represents a significant advance in the care of TB patients, incorporating innovative approaches that place the patient at the centre of the care process.

ETP aims to promote an approach based on listening, understanding and empowering patients. To be effective, TVE must be conducted by professionals who have mastered the art and respect it. With this in mind, the first training session was organised from 19 to 22 November 2024 in Kpalimé to enable healthcare providers to acquire essential skills to better support TB patients throughout their care pathway.

The training modules were designed to address various aspects of therapeutic education, including patient engagement strategies, communication techniques and methods of assessing adherence.The session brought together around twenty tuberculosis focal points from various Centres de Dépistage et de Traitement (CDT) involved in the fight against this disease.Over a period of four (4) days, the training enabled these focal points to acquire knowledge and practical skills in TVE.This training is not limited to improving the individual skills of healthcare providers.It also paves the way for capacity building for CDTs in Togo.

By integrating TVE into care practices, these health centres can offer more comprehensive care tailored to the specific needs of patients in general and those with TB in particular.

These healthcare providers trained in TVE are better equipped to manage complex cases of tuberculosis, particularly those linked to co-morbidities such as HIV and diabetes. This not only improves clinical outcomes, but also reduces the rates of death, failure and/or relapse associated with the disease.

The TVE training initiative in Togo is also a model for the dissemination of this approach in other areas of health.Indeed, the principles of TVE can be applied to the management of other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, where patient education and empowerment are just as crucial.

By integrating TVE into various health programmes, Togo can not only improve the management of chronic diseases, but also strengthen its overall health system. This could lead to better co-ordination of care, a reduction in healthcare costs and a lasting improvement in patients' quality of life, because by helping patients to understand their illness and the associated treatments, it will encourage better compliance with treatment, which is the key to any successful treatment of chronic illnesses.Patients suffering from tuberculosis or chronic diseases, who are often faced with emotional and psychological challenges linked to their illness, will benefit from support that enables them to become active players in their own health. This empowerment is essential to improving their commitment to treatment and their quality of life.

Training in Patient Therapeutic Education is a significant step forward in the fight against tuberculosis in Togo. By placing the patient at the heart of care, this initiative promotes a more humane and effective approach.By drawing on the principles of PTE, Togo is paving the way for better management of chronic diseases and a lasting improvement in the quality of life of its citizens.This innovative approach could also serve as a model for other countries facing similar health challenges. The second session of this training course is scheduled for the next few days.

Source : PNLT

Author
santé éducation
Editor
Abel OZIH

The National Tuberculosis Control Programme (PNLT) in Togo is facing a worrying situation. The country is seeing an increase in relapses, patients lost to follow-up, deaths and treatment failures, leading to multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)

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