Influencing factors of delay in seeking medical attention of patients with obstructive sleep apnea based on the Model of Pathways to Treatment in China: a qualitative analysis

Background There is the highest estimated number of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in China. Early treatment could lead to fewer complications associated with OSA. This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing help-seeking from the first symptom discovery to treatment in OSA.Methods Semi-structured interview outline was designed to conduct face-to-face interview based on the analyses of a great number of related literatures on the delay in seeking medical attention of patients with OSA. 15 patients diagnosed were interviewed between June 2021 to September 2022 in general hospital of Shenyang, Northeastern of China. Qualitative data was analyzed by content analysis using the Model of Pathways to Treatment.Results Analyses identified factors contributing to elapsed time from first symptom discovery to received treatment that are linked to disease characteristic, patients, health system organization. Appraisal interval is most obvious for patients with OSA, but it is difficult to pinpoint precisely because the patients didn't remember exactly when the first symptom was detected.Conclusions Patients diagnosed with OSA didn't initially interpret the snore as a warning sign and even thought it was a blessing. The findings provided guidance or avenues for reducing elapsed time between the first symptom and received treatment.