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Background <p>Headaches cause high disease burden, and are often under-treated. Adequate treatment requires time and expertise, which can be limited in general practices. With the aim to improve the quality and accessibility of care, an unique nurse-led, digital transmural care pathway has been developed in which treatment is provided by nurse practitioners specialized in headache care. It is essential to understand patients’ perspectives on the novice care pathway to uncover opportunities for enhancement.</p> Objective <p>To explore patients’ experiences with the nurse-led transmural headache care pathway, including experienced headache burden, improved headache control, and experiences with communication, person-centeredness, and accessibility within the care pathway.</p> Method <p>This descriptive qualitative study consisted of fourteen semi-structured interviews with patients included in the care pathway. The population consisted of patients with tension-type headache, migraine, and medication overuse headache. Data were analysed using thematic analysis by Braun and Clark.</p> Results <p>Five main themes emerged: (1) <i>expectations related to the care pathway</i>, where patients expressed a desire for reduced headache burden, support in understanding and managing their condition; (2) <i>effectiveness of treatment on everyday functioning</i>, with many participants experiencing fewer headaches and improved daily functioning; (3) <i>digital communication contributing to more accessible care</i>, where participants recognized digital care as accessible and time-saving. However in-person visits were preferred for initial contact, because digital care can feel more impersonal; (4) <i>more insight into headaches due to the use of the digital diary app</i>, where participants talked about gaining more insight into their headaches and mentioned opportunities to improve the app’s usability; and (5) <i>patient-centered care provided by the nurse practitioner</i>, because of their expertise, listening abilities, and personalized approach to treatment.</p> Conclusion <p>This care pathway was valued for its accessible, person-centered care and the nurse practitioner’s expertise and personalized approach. However, improvements in digital headache app and holistic assessment (e.g., help identify triggers) could further increase its contribution to patient care. After treatment within the care pathway, many participants experienced reduced headache symptoms. Therefore, the care pathway has potential for wider implementation, enabling nurse practitioners to extend this care pathway to other headache patient groups.</p>

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Patients’ experiences with a nurse-led transmural headache care pathway: a qualitative study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月19日

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  • Cheryl van den Bovenkamp,
  • Suzanne Geerts-van den Boogaard,
  • Mieke Heitkamp-van Deursen,
  • Suzanne van de Pasch,
  • Melanie van Kranen,
  • Anneke J. A. H. van Vught,
  • Lisa J. C. van Dongen

摘要

Background

Headaches cause high disease burden, and are often under-treated. Adequate treatment requires time and expertise, which can be limited in general practices. With the aim to improve the quality and accessibility of care, an unique nurse-led, digital transmural care pathway has been developed in which treatment is provided by nurse practitioners specialized in headache care. It is essential to understand patients’ perspectives on the novice care pathway to uncover opportunities for enhancement.

Objective

To explore patients’ experiences with the nurse-led transmural headache care pathway, including experienced headache burden, improved headache control, and experiences with communication, person-centeredness, and accessibility within the care pathway.

Method

This descriptive qualitative study consisted of fourteen semi-structured interviews with patients included in the care pathway. The population consisted of patients with tension-type headache, migraine, and medication overuse headache. Data were analysed using thematic analysis by Braun and Clark.

Results

Five main themes emerged: (1) expectations related to the care pathway, where patients expressed a desire for reduced headache burden, support in understanding and managing their condition; (2) effectiveness of treatment on everyday functioning, with many participants experiencing fewer headaches and improved daily functioning; (3) digital communication contributing to more accessible care, where participants recognized digital care as accessible and time-saving. However in-person visits were preferred for initial contact, because digital care can feel more impersonal; (4) more insight into headaches due to the use of the digital diary app, where participants talked about gaining more insight into their headaches and mentioned opportunities to improve the app’s usability; and (5) patient-centered care provided by the nurse practitioner, because of their expertise, listening abilities, and personalized approach to treatment.

Conclusion

This care pathway was valued for its accessible, person-centered care and the nurse practitioner’s expertise and personalized approach. However, improvements in digital headache app and holistic assessment (e.g., help identify triggers) could further increase its contribution to patient care. After treatment within the care pathway, many participants experienced reduced headache symptoms. Therefore, the care pathway has potential for wider implementation, enabling nurse practitioners to extend this care pathway to other headache patient groups.