TB 101 For Health Care Workers

SKIP TO CONTENT

Lesson 6: Treatment of TB Disease

HOME

GLOSSARY

EXIT

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348

https://wwwn.cdc.gov/dcs/ContactUs/Form

USA.gov

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

 

Directly Observed Therapy

Page 14 of 29

The most effective strategy to ensure adherence to treatment is directly observed therapy (DOT). DOT means that a health care worker or another designated person watches the TB patient swallow each dose of the prescribed drugs. During DOT encounters, the health care worker also asks the patient about any problems or side effects with the medication.

 

DOT can be conducted either in person or remotely (for example, over a smartphone, tablet, or computer). DOT conducted remotely is called electronic DOT (eDOT). DOT should be done at a time and place that is convenient for the patient.

 

DOT should be used for ALL patients with TB disease, including children and adolescents. There is no way to accurately predict whether a patient will adhere to treatment without this assistance.

A health care worker watching a patient take treatment for TB disease

In-person directly observed therapy (DOT)