The feasibility of a public-private mix program on pulmonary tuberculosis screening in Penang:A pilot study

The feasibility of a public-private mix program on pulmonary tuberculosis screening in Penang:A pilot study

Background: The low detection rate of tuberculosis (TB) cases in Malaysia remains a challenge in the effort to end TB by 2030. The collaboration between private and public health care facilities is essential in addressing this issue. As of now, no private-public health care collaborative program in...

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Published in:Malaysian family physician Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 75 - 83
Main Authors: Tang, Wei Shuong, Chan, Mei Wai, Kow, Fei Ping, Ambigapathy, Ranjini, Wong, Justen Han Wei, Thiruvengadam, Vasantha, Abd Kadir, Umarazina, Jain, Anita, Pararajasingam Pillai, Ramesvari
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Kuala Lumpur Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia 25-03-2021
Academy of Family Physician of Malaysia
Subjects:
Collaboration
Feasibility studies
feasibility study
Health care
Health facilities
Laboratories
Medical diagnosis
Medical referrals
Original
Patients
Population
Public health
pulmonary tuberculosis
Questionnaires
Researchers
Tuberculosis
Penang Malaysia
Malaysia
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Summary:Background: The low detection rate of tuberculosis (TB) cases in Malaysia remains a challenge in the effort to end TB by 2030. The collaboration between private and public health care facilities is essential in addressing this issue. As of now, no private-public health care collaborative program in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) screening exists in Malaysia. Aim: To determine the feasibility of a collaborative program between private general practitioners (GPs) and the public primary health clinics in PTB screening and to assess the yield of smearpositive PTB from this program. Methods: A prospective cohort study using convenient sampling was conducted involving GPs and public health clinics in the North-East District, Penang, from March 2018 to May 2019. In this study, GPs could direct all suspected PTB patients to perform a sputum acid fast bacilli (AFB) direct smear in any of the dedicated public primary health clinics. The satisfaction level of both the GPs and their patients were assessed using a self-administered client satisfaction questionnaire. IBM SPSS Statistical Software was used to analyze the data. Results: Out of a total of 31 patients who underwent the sputum investigation for PTB, one (3.2%) was diagnosed to have smear-positive PTB. Most of the patients (>90%) and GPs (66.7%) agreed to continue with this program in the future. Furthermore, most of the patients (>90%) were satisfied with the program structure. Conclusion: It is potentially feasible to involve GPs in combating TB. However, a more structured program addressing the identified issues is needed to make the collaborative program a success.
ISSN:1985-207X
1985-2274
1985-2274
DOI:10.51866/oa1096