May 19, 2016 | Summer 2016

Our first goal of the day was to talk to two Chief Medical Officers (CHOs) about their work at their PHUs as it relates to diabetes as well as the general practices of PHUs. We met them early in the day before their training began and got the opportunity to interview one more CHO than anticipated, all from different rural areas. A few of the CHOs had the means to screen for diabetes at their own PHU but still sent their patients with diabetes symptoms and positive tests to the local hospital. Some even travel to the urban area, Makeni, to stock Metformin at their PHU.

Next, our team went to the diabetes day in the Holy Spirit Hospital to finalize our understanding of health care with a specific aim on diabetes. We talked with many individuals with diabetes about their experiences with the disease. In particular, although testing is free at the hospital every Wednesday, many people were complaining about how expensive treatments tend to be and how having to buy specific vegetables and drugs can strain individuals financially. We learned about the clinic and its process and, in addition, we were introduced to a separate entity called the Diabetes Association: a group that meets to share experiences, diets, and exercises between members and collect funds for financial support of those in need and the families of those that pass away. With all these information, our diabetes pathway map was completed.

Our final goal was to establish a plan to implement for Study 2. We met with Bernadette about each of our specific scenarios and created a protocol for the final phase. Our current plan is three different groups, one with a paid and unpaid scenario each. We are in the process of creating a list of all possible options and then eliminating options that don’t fit into our results from Study 1.

 

The bracelet on one of the diabetic patient we interviewed at the Holy Spirit Hospital. 

Our team with the patient we interviewed at the Diabetes Day in Holy Spirit Hospital.

Our interview with the CHOs before their training begins.