Impact of a Program to Improve Quality of Diabetes Care in the Caribbean

The aim of this research was to evaluate if the training on the use of the “Protocol for the Nutritional Management of Obesity, Diabetes and Hypertension in the Caribbean” improves the quality of care delivered to patients with Type2 Diabetes in Jamaica, Guyana, Belize, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname. The main goals of the protocol were to improve the standards of care for diabetics in the Caribbean region by providing tools essential for nutrition management. This study looked at healthcare professionals from the five countries and evaluated practice change following continuing professional development (CPD), in the use of the protocol. The training consisted of a two and a half day workshop led by the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI). The training overviewed noncommunicable diseases in the region and the role of nutrition management; nutrition assessment and the management processes.The 279 participants for the CPD were chosen by the respective Ministries of Health. Of these, 133 were randomly selected by the national coordinators for a chart audit. For each healthcare professional, up to ten patients, medical charts were randomly selected totaling 1140 (25% male and 75% female) charts selected from the five countries. An evaluation instrument was developed and used for the audit and results were analysed using McNemar test to establish change. A statistical improvement in the quality of care following CPD was found through the chart audit, showing that using a protocol of care improves practice in primary care settings in the Caribbean.

Authors: 

Xuereb, G., Anderson-Johnson, P., Ragoobirsingh D. & Morrison, E.

Publication Year: 
2014
Source: 
Journal of Research in Diabetes, vol. 2014, Article ID 149397
DOI: 
doi: 10.5171/2014.149397
Keywords: 
Chart Audit
Keywords: 
Continuous Professional Development
Keywords: 
Diabetes
Keywords: 
Nutrition