Care-Seeking, Pathway to Care and Disease Burden in Dhat Syndrome

Patients with ‘Dhat syndrome’ exhibit diverse patterns when seeking treatment, often visiting multiple healthcare providers in their quest for help. Typically, individuals make consultations with various indigenous healers, vaids, hakims, sex specialists, and practitioners of alternative medicine in search of relief before eventually reaching a psychiatric health facility. However, this process of searching for the appropriate care provider leads to a significant loss of time and resources. Therefore, it is essential to incorporate an efficient and effective referral mechanism that can expedite access to psychiatric care for patients with ‘Dhat syndrome’. By streamlining the referral process, individuals can receive timely and appropriate care, reducing delays and improving overall treatment outcomes.