Integrated Private Healthcare Program to Improve the Management of NonCommunicable Diseases (iMANAGE) - Abstract
Background: The Integrated Management of non-communicable diseases (NCD) in Non-Government Establishments (iMANAGE), a Malaysian-specific program was developed with a structured framework to deliver multi-platform, cross-functional education to health care workers (HCW). This study assessed the success of iMANAGE program in improving and sustaining HCW knowledge and confidence in evidence-based practice. Methods: Pharmacists, general practitioners (GPs) in Malaysia were recruited between September 2019 and October 2020. The recruited participants were trained on topics including pain management, mental health, and cardiovascular health, by a combination of face-to-face workshops and live webinars. Participants were assessed for improvement in their skills and confidence through evaluation of mean evidence-based practice confidence (EPIC) total score, mean EPIC confidence score and general self-efficacy scale (GSE) score at baseline (pre- and post-workshop), 6-months, and 12-months.Results: In this study, 195 pharmacists and 211 general practitioners (GPs) in Malaysia were recruited. Overall, pharmacist and GP confidence and self-efficacy significantly improved following the delivery of the educational activity (p<0.000). At the peak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, confidence in delivering evidence-based patient care decreased while self-efficacy remained stable. At the end of 12-month follow-up confidence recovered and self-efficacy continued to improve over time. Conclusions: Effective screening, risk mitigation and ongoing management carried out by frontline health care workers is key to optimal health outcomes. Evaluated at the peak of COVID-19 pandemic, our study demonstrated the effectiveness and resilience of a multidisciplinary, integrated, medical education program improved both skills and confidence in NCD management.