Factors affecting the implementation of a complex health intervention to improve insulin management in primary care: A SWOT analysis

• Published in: African journal of primary health care & family medicine Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. e1 - e9
• Main Authors: Piotie, Patrick Ngassa, Filmalter, Celia, Mohlala, Maryangela G., Zulu, Ntokozo, Segale, Amanda, Koenaite, Charles, Muchiri, Jane W., Webb, Elizabeth M., Rheeder, Paul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: AOSIS 04-07-2022; African Online Scientific Information Systems (Pty) Ltd t/a AOSIS; AOSIS Publishing
• Subjects: Analysis; Biology; Blood sugar monitoring; Care and treatment; Community health workers; diabetes; Diabetes therapy; Health care industry; Health Care Sciences & Services; Health intervention; Insulin; Insulin management; Insulin resistance; Medicine, General & Internal; Original Research; Primary care; SWOT analysis; Telehealth; Type 2 diabetes; South Africa; type 2 diabetes; health intervention; telehealth; SWOT analysis; community health workers; insulin management; primary care; diabetes
• ISSN: 2071-2928; 2071-2936; 2071-2936
• DOI: 10.4102/phcfm.v14i1.3467

Background In South Africa, initiating and managing insulin in primary care for people living with type 2 diabetes (PLWD) is a major challenge. To address these challenges, a multidisciplinary team from the University of Pretoria (South Africa) developed the Tshwane Insulin project (TIP) intervention.Aim To determine internal and external factors, either facilitators or barriers, that could influence the implementation of the TIP intervention and propose strategies to ensure sustainability.Setting Tshwane District, Gauteng province, South Africa.Methods We used the SWOT framework to qualitatively analyse the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats influencing the implementation of the TIP intervention. Four field researchers and three managers from the TIP team participated in an online group discussion. We also conducted semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers (HCPs) (seven nurses, five doctors) and patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 13).Results Regardless of the identified weaknesses, the TIP intervention was accepted by PLWD and HCPs. Participants identified strengths including app-enabled insulin initiation and titration, pro-active patient follow-up, patient empowerment and provision of glucose monitoring devices. Participants viewed insulin resistance and the attitudes of HCPs as potential threats. Participants suggested that weaknesses and threats could be mitigated by translating education material into local languages and using the lived experiences of insulin-treated patients to address insulin resistance. The procurement of glucose monitoring devices by national authorities would promote the sustainability of the intervention.Conclusion Our findings may help decision-makers and health researchers to improve insulin management for PLWD in resource-constrained settings by using telehealth interventions.