Table 4.

Sub-themes and illustrative quotes under patient vulnerability shaping engagement and treatment continuity

Sub-theme, n (% of participants)	Quotes
Health status, 10 (38.5%)	“Older patients with severe conditions may have complications; some patients are physically unable to adhere to treatment or manage medication, requiring village doctors to deliver medication, which is a significant workload” (A1).
Low treatment adherence and cooperation, 8 (30.8%)	“The treatment duration is too long, and patients are uncooperative. Some patients are unwilling to go to the village’s medication point due to laziness” (A22).
High psychological pressure, 8 (30.8%)	“The lengthy hospitalization can be psychologically difficult for patients. They feel that after undergoing tests and treatment, they just want to go home” (A9).