The effectiveness of a community-orientated model of primary care for type 2 diabetes compared to standard care

In three primary health care clinics run by Médecins Sans Frontières in the informal settlement of Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya, we describe the caseload, management and treatment outcomes of patients with hypertension (HT) and/or diabetes mellitus (DM) receiving care from January 2010 to June 2012. Descriptive study using prospectively collected routine programme data. Overall, 1465 patients were registered in three clinics during the study period, of whom 87% were hypertensive only and 13% had DM with or without HT. Patients were predominantly female (71%) and the median age was 48 years. On admission, 24% of the patients were obese, with a body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2. Overall, 55% of non-diabetic hypertensive patients reached their blood pressure (BP) target at 24 months. Only 28% of diabetic patients reached their BP target at 24 months. For non-diabetic patients, there was a significant decrease in BP between first consultation and 3 months of treatment, maintained over the 18-month period. Only 20% of diabetic patients with or without hypertension achieved glycaemic control. By the end of the study period,1003 (68%) patients were alive and in care, one (<1%) had died, eight (0.5%) had transferred out and 453 (31%) were lost to follow-up. Good management of HT and DM can be achieved in a primary care setting within an informal settlement. This model of intervention appears feasible to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in developing countries.

Corona Virus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first reported in Cape Town in March 2020 and the transmission was soon observed in local communities. Cape Town has many vulnerable communities because of poverty, overcrowding and comorbidities, although it has a relatively small elderly population. Amongst the unique and early responses to the pandemic in South Africa has been the strategy of community screening and testing (CST). This process has been drawn from health department’s prior adoption of a community-orientated primary care (COPC) approach, which relies on teams of community health workers working in delineated communities to prevent disease and provide early interventions for those at higher risk. The COPC principles were applied in the CST programme, which involved collaboration between facility and community-based teams, linking public health and primary care approaches, careful mapping of cases in highly vulnerable communities, targeted screening around cases, testing of those that screened positive, health education and linkage to primary care. The overall aim was to slow down transmission through early identification and isolation of diagnosed cases. Key challenges involved the designing of a screening tool with appropriate sensitivity and specificity as well as the logistics of staffing, transport, consumables, data collection and capture, security, ablutions and personal protective equipment. Key opportunities included synergies between CST and evolving commitment to COPC in the health system. Key threats were the deteriorating security situation in the most vulnerable communities because of loss of income, food insecurity and CST distrust as well as increasing turn-around-times for test results.

Introduction: Hepatitis C HCV infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease and death. In the EU, primary care is increasingly providing long-term care for people who inject drugs PWID, many of whom are infected with HCV. Although the barriers to HCV care in this population are well understood, real world solutions remain relatively unstudied. The ‘HepLink’ project aims to address this gap by developing an integrated model of HCV care and evaluating its feasibility and acceptability among PWID attending at four primary care / community-based sites. Methods: The integrated model of care comprises: education of primary and community care professionals on recent developments in HCV diagnosis and treatment and academic detailing on the ‘HepLink’ project, clinical support/outreach by a HCV trained nurse to primary care and community sites, and enhanced community-based HCV evaluation of patients including on-site Fibroscan to stage liver disease, blood borne virus testing/vaccination, HCV and harm reduction education. Practices/clinical sites in Dublin, London, Bucharest and Seville were recruited from the professional networks of consortium members. Patients were eligible to participate if aged over 18 years, on opiate substitutions treatment or at risk of HCV, and attending the practice/service for any reason during the recruitment period. Data on patient demographics and HCV care processes were collected on participating patients at baseline. Results: Twenty-seven practices/services Dublin n=14, London n=1, Seville n=3 and Bucharest n=9 are currently participating. A total of 452 patients have been recruited across the four sites Dublin n=135; London n=39, Seville n=109; Bucharest n=169 and baseline data has been collected on 438 patients. The 'HepLink’ model of care is currently being delivered at the four sites, tailored according to local primary care organisation and population need. To date, 53 GPs have received HCV education/academic detailing, 18 practices/services have received nurse specialist liaison; and 20 practices/services have delivered enhanced community-based HCV evaluation. Discussion: To address the growing burden of HCV-related liver disease among PWID, an integrated model of HCV care comprising education and training, clinical support / outreach and improved access to assessment has been developed and its feasibility / acceptability established in a real-world setting. Conclusions: Our research findings will determine the feasibility and acceptability of an integrated model of care for engaging and retaining PWID in the continuum of HCV care. Lessons learned: Lessons learned from the study can be incorporated into national and European guidelines and strategies for HCV. In addition, with health systems promoting ‘integrated care’ as a solution to many of the challenges facing healthcare today, this project provides valuable real-world insights on how such a model of care may be operationalised. Limitations: As a pre-post feasibility study, 'HepLink' does not employ a controlled trial design and lacks the scientific rigour of a RCT which could definitively determine effectiveness of the intervention. Suggestions for future research: This feasibility study can provide the key parameters for the design of a future cluster RCT.

Over the past 2 years a nongovernmental organisation has evolved that facilitates intersectoral work in the HIV/AIDS field in the Okhahlamba Municipality. Okhahlamba Municipality is situated along the Drakensberg mountain range in KwaZulu Natal and is home to approximately 150 000 people. As in many rural areas of South Africa the community is characterised by high levels of poverty and illiteracy and subsequent poor health status. In trying to understand the process of setting up such an organisation it has been useful to reflect on Community Orientated Primary Care (COPC) as a conceptual framework. By reviewing the beginnings of intersectoral work in relation to the COPC model important lessons can be learnt for the future of the organisation. (excerpt)

Organization of Diabetes Care

2005 APA Gold Award: Improving Treatment Engagement and Integrated Care of Veterans

BackgroundCommunity health workers (CHW) are an integral part of primary health care re-engineering in South Africa. Cape Town is developing community-orientated primary care, with a central role for CHWs. Their role in human immunodeficiency virus, tuberculosis, maternal and child health has been articulated, but is less clear for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Non-communicable diseases are now a major contributor to the burden of disease. The aim was to explore the current role of CHWs regarding NCDs in the Eastern sub-district of Cape Town, South Africa.MethodsAn exploratory descriptive qualitative study made use of non-participant observation and qualitative interviews with CHWs, their managers, and nurse coordinators. Data from nine semi-structured interviews and ten observations were analysed with the framework method and Atlas-ti.ResultsThe CHWs were embedded in their communities and provided services via support groups, household visits and delivery of medication. They linked people to care with assistance of nurse coordinators. They could also provide physical care in the home. They lacked the ability to counsel people on the risk factors for NCDs and their role in rehabilitation and palliative care was unclear. More nurse coordinators were needed to provide supportive supervision. Inter-sectoral collaboration was weak and hindered CHWs from addressing social issues. More standardised and comprehensive training should equip CHWs for health promotion and disease prevention during household visits. Data collected in the community needed to be analysed, reported on and integrated with data from the primary care facility. This should also contribute to a community diagnosis. Their relationship with facility-based members of the primary health care team needed to be improved. Attention needed to be given to the requirements for and conditions of employment, as well as working hours and remuneration. Some equipment was absent and hindered their services for NCDs.ConclusionsCHWs have the potential to provide a comprehensive approach to NCDs, but community-orientated primary care needs to be strengthened in many of the key areas to support their activities. In relation to NCDs, they need training in basic and brief behaviour change counselling and risk factors as well as in the areas of rehabilitation and palliative care.

This opinion piece is based on a study that investigated the contribution of Rehabilitation `Care Workers in strengthening rehabilitation in community-based services at the primary level of care level and a collaborative inquiry with the rehabilitation teams responsible fofr outreach community services in a rural district. We are of the opinion that rural contexts require a different set of community-based rehabilitation (CPR) competencies than those applicable in better-resourced urban and per-urban settings. We investigated the health system strengthening benefits of CBR as a facet of community orientated primary care (COPC), which focuses on the inter-sectoral services that rehabilitation care workers who are supervised by rehabilitation therapists can offer to persons with disabilities. We endorse extant public health literature on the urgent need to build rural inclusive health workforce capacity, suggesting that human resource shortages for rehabilitation n rural areas can be addressed through training mid-level, multi-skilled workers who are part of the ward-based teams with rehabilitation therapists. Community health workers (CHWs0 in rural areas who upgrade their skills set to include competencies in community-based disability inclusive development practice and address the rehabilitation service gaps faced by persons with disabilities and their families. Implications for practice: Embedding community-based disability inclusive development practices in COPC will promote access to rehabilitation services in rural communities. In addition to nurse-led, ward-based teams of CHWs, ward-based teams of RCWs led by rehabilitation therapists will strengthen the primary level rural health system. Health outcomes of rural populations withn disability will be improved by access to RCWs with competencies in inter-sectoral collaboration.

This opinion piece is based on a study that investigated the contribution of Rehabilitation Care Workers in strengthening rehabilitation in community-based services at the primary level of care level and a collaborative inquiry with the rehabilitation teams responsible for outreach community services in a rural district. We are of the opinion that rural contexts require a different set of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) competencies that those applicable in better-resourced urban and peri-urban settings. We investigated that the health system strengthening benefits of CBR as a facet of community orientated primary care (COPC) - which focuses on the inter-sectoral services that rehabilitation care workers who are subervised by rehabilitation therapists - can offer to persons with disabilities. We endorse extant public health literature on the urgent need to build rural inclusive health workforce capacity, suggesting that human resource training mid-level, multi-skilled CBR workders who are part of the ward-based teams with rehabilitation therapists. Community health workers (CHW) in rural areas who upgrade their skills set to include competencies in community-based disability inclusive development practice can adress the rehabilitation service gaps faced by persons with disabilities and their families. Implications for practice: Embedding community-based disability inclusive development practices in COPC will promote access to rehabilitatio services in rural communities. In addition to nurse-led, ward-based teams of CHWs, ward-based teams of RCWs led by rehabilitation therapists will strengthen the primary level rural health system. Health outcomes of rural populations with disability will be improved by access to RCWs with competencies in inter-sectoral collaboration.

Due to insufficient number of health workers and the evidence of the benefits of community health workers (CHWs), CHWs are being deployed to provide health care services to under-served communities. In this article, we explore to what extent the South African CHW programmes introduced between 2009 and 2011 are attuned to community needs, integrated into the healthcare system and community structures, and also implemented in accordance with community-orientated primary health care principles. Using a case study approach, we studied CHW teams in seven primary healthcare facilities located in semi-urban and rural areas of Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces, South Africa. We collected data using in-depth interviews involving facility managers, CHW supervisors, community representatives and key informants, and focus groups and observations of CHWs. The implementation of community-orientated health interventions remains complex. In the different sites, there were efforts to integrate the views of stakeholders (e.g., political leaders) into the implementation of the CHW programmes. However, many residents were more concerned about access to housing than health services. The CHWs services’ were found to be generally comprehensive, however inefficient training, supervision and mentorship limited their effectiveness. The multidisciplinary approach to care, as introduced by some sites, helped enhance the knowledge and skills of some of the CHWs on complex health topics. The roll out of community orientated primary health care services is crucial in a resource-constrained setting like South Africa. However, significant socio-economic issues disrupt community involvement and the effective provision of services. Governments need to provide sufficient funds for training, supervision, supplies and remuneration to help overcome these barriers.

Due to insufficient number of health workers and the evidence of the benefits of community health workers (CHWs), CHWs are being deployed to provide health care services to under-served communities. In this article, we explore to what extent the South African CHW programmes introduced between 2009 and 2011 are attuned to community needs, integrated into the healthcare system and community structures, and also implemented in accordance with community-orientated primary health care principles. Using a case study approach, we studied CHW teams in seven primary healthcare facilities located in semi-urban and rural areas of Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces, South Africa. We collected data using in-depth interviews involving facility managers, CHW supervisors, community representatives and key informants, and focus groups and observations of CHWs. The implementation of community-orientated health interventions remains complex. In the different sites, there were efforts to integrate the views of stakeholders (e.g., political leaders) into the implementation of the CHW programmes. However, many residents were more concerned about access to housing than health services. The CHWs services' were found to be generally comprehensive, however inefficient training, supervision and mentorship limited their effectiveness. The multidisciplinary approach to care, as introduced by some sites, helped enhance the knowledge and skills of some of the CHWs on complex health topics. The roll out of community orientated primary health care services is crucial in a resource-constrained setting like South Africa. However, significant socio-economic issues disrupt community involvement and the effective provision of services. Governments need to provide sufficient funds for training, supervision, supplies and remuneration to help overcome these barriers.

BackgroundNon-communicable diseases (NCDs), including type-2 diabetes and hypertension, have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates because of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Maintaining quality care for these conditions is important but data on the impact of COVID-19 on NCD care in South Africa are sparse.AimThis study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on facility and community-based NCD care and management during the first COVID-19 wave.SettingTwo public health sector primary care sites in the Cape Town Metro, including a Community Orientated Primary Care (COPC) learning site.MethodsA rapid appraisal with convergent mixed-methods design, including semi-structured interviews with facility and community health workers (CHWs) (n = 20) and patients living with NCDs (n = 8), was used. Interviews were conducted in English and Afrikaans by qualified interviewers. Transcripts were analysed by thematic content analysis. Quantitative data of health facility attendance, chronic dispensing unit (CDU) prescriptions and routine diabetes control were sourced from the Provincial Health Data Centre and analysed descriptively.ResultsQualitative analysis revealed three themes: disruption (cancellation of services, fear of infection, stress and anxiety), service reorganisation (communication, home delivery of medication, CHW scope of work, risk stratification and change management) and outcomes (workload and morale, stigma, appreciation and impact on NCD control). There was a drop in primary care attendance and an increase in CDU prescriptions and uncontrolled diabetes.ConclusionThis study described the service disruption together with rapid reorganisation and change management at primary care level during the first COVID-19 wave. The changes were strengthened by the COPC foundation in one of the study sites. The impact of COVID-19 on primary-level NCD care and management requires more investigation.

IntroductionCommunity-orientated primary care (COPC) is an approach to primary healthcare (PHC) that originated in South Africa and contributed to the formulation of the Declaration of Alma-Ata 40 years ago. Despite this, PHC remains poorly developed in sub-Saharan African countries. There has been a resurgence of interest in strengthening PHC systems in the last few years and identifying key knowledge gaps. COPC has been an effective strategy elsewhere, most notably Brazil. This scoping review investigated COPC in the sub-Saharan African context and looked for evidence of different models, effectiveness and feasibility.MethodsDatabases were systematically searched using a comprehensive search strategy to identify studies from the last 10 years. A methodological guideline for conducting scoping reviews was followed. A standardised template was used to extract data and compare study characteristics and findings. Studies were grouped into five categories: historical analysis, models, implementation, educational studies and effectiveness.ResultsA total of 1997 publications were identified and 39 included in the review. Most publications were from the last 5 years (n = 32), research (n = 27), from South Africa (n = 27), focused on implementation (n = 25) and involving case studies (n = 9), programme evaluation (n = 6) or qualitative methods (n = 10). Nine principles of COPC were identified from different models. Factors related to the implementation of COPC were identified in terms of governance, finances, community health workers, primary care facilities, community participation, health information and training. There was very little evidence of effectiveness of COPC.ConclusionsThere is a need for further research to describe models of COPC in Africa, investigate the appropriate skills mix to integrate public health and primary care in these models, evaluate the effectiveness of COPC and whether it is included in training of healthcare workers and government policy.

Changes in medicine domestically and globally are transforming primary care in the United States. Many have suggested that primary care is in crisis or at least at a crossroads in the United States. The Annals of Internal Medicine recently devoted much of one issue to this topic.1 Primary care for children and adolescents, however, was not addressed specifically. This article focuses on pediatrics and identifies potential roles and new models for primary care pediatrics. The Institute of Medicine has defined primary care as “the provision of integrated, accessible health care services by clinicians who are accountable for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs, developing a sustained partnership with patients, and practicing in the context of family and community.”2 Starfield3 has defined 4 attributes of primary care including first-contact care, longitudinality, comprehensiveness, and coordination. September 11, 2001, the anthrax scare, and emerging threats such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) have brought a new focus on the importance of individual-level contacts in addressing population-level threats. Before these world events, however, primary care pediatrics was already grappling with its identity and responding to significant changes in medical systems, science, and family needs. The pace and scope of these changes are such that primary care pediatricians of the future will not be performing the same role as today. Historically, American medicine has tended to be reactive rather than proactive in defining its roles in society. However, dynamic change demands collective reflection; it is time to be proactive in assessing the needs of patients, exploring potential roles as health care providers, and developing the mechanisms to redefine the primary care pediatrician of the future. Projecting future trends requires reflection on the history of the profession of preventive pediatrics. In the 1800s, few physicians in the United States routinely … Address correspondence to Tina L. Cheng, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University Department of Pediatrics, 600 N Wolfe St, Park 392, Baltimore, MD 21287. E-mail: tcheng2{at}jhmi.edu

BackgroundMajor changes in health policy, health service delivery, specific protocols, guidelines and recommendations for the management of common causes of maternal death have been developed in South Africa since the advent of the current democratic government. However, maternal mortality ratio remains high. The scientific community has conducted numerous studies on maternal mortality in South Africa; save for an analysis of the causes of maternal deaths, stratified by province. This study examines the geographic distribution of maternal causes of death in South Africa.MethodsA pooled cross-sectional dataset for the years 2002–2006 retrieved from the vital registration database of Statistics South Africa was used to analyse maternal causes of death. About 8773 maternal deaths between 10–55 years were analysed using frequency tables, cross-tabulations and logistic regression. Maternal mortality ratios (MMR), odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to analyse provincial disparities.ResultsMMR was highest in the Free State (286/100 000) and lowest in the Western Cape (87/100 000). Tuberculosis (10.4%) was the leading single indirect cause of maternal deaths while hypertensive disorders (9.1%) were the leading direct cause of death. KwaZulu-Natal women had a significantly higher risk of dying from sepsis (aOR=3.1,95% CI=1.2-7.9). North West women had the lowest risk of dying from hypertensive disorders (aOR=0.4,95% CI=0.2-0.7). The risk of dying from complications of labour was lowest for Gauteng women (aOR=0.4,95% CI=0.1-0.9). The 30–34 years age group had a significantly high risk (aOR=2.5,95% CI=1.6-4.0) of dying from abortion while the 25–29 years age group had a significantly higher risk of dying from maternal infectious diseases (aOR=2.3,95% CI=1.3-3.9). The 40–44 years age group had a significantly higher risk of dying from haemorrhage (aOR=2.3,95% CI=1.3-3.9 and the 45+ age group from other maternal diseases (aOR=3.3,95% CI=1.2-8.5) and miscellaneous direct causes (aOR=4.1,95% CI=1.7-9.9) respectively.ConclusionsThe study shows great variations in the distribution and causes of maternal deaths by age and provincial level. Poorer provinces had lower MMR than the better off provinces. The provincial variations in the leading causes of death indicate the importance of targeted interventions at sub-national level.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-015-1597-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.