What is the full form of DOTS?

The full form of DOTS is the Directly Observed Therapy, Short-course. It is also known as TB – DOTS. It refers to a strategy aimed at curing and reducing the risk of TB (tuberculosis) cases. In this technique, a healthcare practitioner or some other suitable representative provides the recommended TB medications to tuberculosis patients and ensures that the patient takes every dose. If the patient left alone, then they may fail to take any of the doses that can result in the spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Main actions of DOTS

• Supplying the drug prescribed in the DOTS
• Checking for medication-related side effects
• To ensure that the patient swallows the drug,
• Detailing the visit
• Answering TB & DOTS relevant queries

Significance of DOTS

• DOTS avoids the transition of TB to others.
• DOTS reduces the probability of a treatment error.
• DOTS allows patents to complete their treatment of tuberculosis as quickly and without interruption.
• The probability of drug-resistance tuberculosis resulting from ineffective therapy is decreased.
• Under DOTS, as reported, 85-90 percent of tuberculosis patients administered their medications properly, compared with 62 percent of TB patients who were on self-administered therapy.
• We can not be certain that the patient will take the drug as guided; individuals can fail or have difficulty appropriately taking pills. Through DOTS, this problem can be overcome.