Objective: Identify delays in receiving healthcare in cases of patients who either recovered from or died due to severe dengue in five Colombian cities. Method: Qualitative study with deceased persons from dengue (cases) or that recuperated (controls). Family members were interviewed and their itineraries were analyzed. The data was analyzed from the "three delay" model, complemented with spatiotemporal diagrams and interviews to health professionals. Results: Despite not knowing signs and symptoms, attention was rapidly sought. There were no difficulties accessing the route to the first consultation There were flaws in the quality of diagnosis and a higher number of institutions were consulted in cases than in controls. It was evidenced a return to delay 1 that could negatively influence future health decisions. Conclusions: Complementing the delay analysis with spatiotemporal analysis of the itineraries permits the visualization of flaws and successes in the quality of care for decision-making.
dengue; medical care; mortality; qualitative analysis
