Existing Methods – DOTS

DOTS- Directly Observed Treatment short course is a universal strategy recommended by WHO for the treatment of Tuberculosis. World Health Organization guidelines for treatment of tuberculosis call for directly observed treatment (DOTS), in certain instances to monitor patient medication adherence practices. DOTS consists of an observer watching the patient swallow his or her tablets in a way that is sensitive and responsive to the patient’s needs and to ensure that the patient takes the right drugs, in the right doses, and at the right intervals. The infected person needs to meet with a healthcare worker every alternate day in a week and take medicine under his/her direct supervision. The place can be a TB clinic or workplace Currently, DOTS strategy is in practice in more than 180 countries world-wide.

DOTS protocol is designed as a Top-Down Manual model. It is built with a strong observation strategy because of its nature of design. The WHO recommended DOTS strategy is the most effective strategies to control TB. It emphasises the regular intake of TB drugs for a period of six to eight months and monitoring of patients treatment for progress assessment. The data of the patient, treatment and medication are recorded in registers. The monthly reports are put on the blackboards. This creates an unnecessary challenge for the DOTS treatment because in today’s scenario with the use of appropriate technology, the treatment can be made more effective if a component of technology is applied in it.