Patient Journey Maps to Improve Treatment Adherence in Chronic Comorbidities: A Narrative Review

To summarize the research progress on the application of patient journey maps in improving treatment compliance among patients with chronic comorbidities, and to analyze their mechanisms for optimizing comorbidity management pathways, strengthening care continuity, enhancing patient experience at key care touchpoints, and optimizing treatment experiences for special populations.

A search was conducted on PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases. We conducted relevant research on using the paper's reference list. We searched for keywords such as patient journey map, chronic comorbidities, and treatment compliance separately and in combination.

A total of 8 studies were included. The review found that patient journey maps can effectively identify compliance barriers in four key areas: (1) missing comorbidity management pathways; (2) disruption of continuity of care during the transition period across institutions; (3) intervention at key care touchpoints; (4) the stigmatization and inadequate pain management faced by special populations lead to voluntary discharge.

The patient journey map, as a visualization tool, systematically reveals the key nodes of treatment-compliance disorders among patients with chronic comorbidities, providing a clear path for nursing staff to develop interventions.