Focus group discussion Phase I

264 Improving Blood Pressure Controls in Primary Care Settings 7. Some medical officers raised the need for resources centre so that they can update their knowledge. 8. Most staff said there is lack of promotional programmes on hypertension such as seminar for patients as opposed to normal one to one counseling. 9. Some medical officers also raised the need for structured hypertensive medical notes.

4.2 Phase II

4.2.1 Pre intervention data collection

A total of 300 patients comprised of 117 males 39 and 183 females 61 with their baseline blood pressure taken. They have the mean SBP of 139.87 and DBP of 84.56. Only 132 44 out of the 300 patients have controlled blood pressure.

4.2.2 Implementation of Intervention packages

From January the intervention packages are implemented in intervention clinics as follows: 1. The flow chart on the management of hypertension were developed and distributed to the 6 interventions clinics to be displayed in the rooms. 2. First training to the medical officers, paramedics and nurses in each district of intervention clinics involved in clinical management of hypertensive management conducted on 26 th January 2007. Table 4 Table 4. The distribution of healthcare professionals trained in management of hypertension in selected primary health clinics Districts Intervention Clinics Clinics MO MA Nurses Perak Tengah Bota Kiri Kg. Gajah 1 1 2 2 5 1 Manjung Pulau Pangkor Pantai Remis 2 1 3 2 2 3 Kerian Bagan Serai Tanjung Piandang 1 1 2 2 4 2 Total 7 13 17 265 Improving Blood Pressure Controls in Primary Care Settings 3. Intervention during consultation a. Reminder note to the health care professional Appendix D. b. Advice slip to patients were also distributed. c. Stamp on blood pressure reading · Uncontrolled: blood pressure reading highlighted and they were given an advice slip Appendix B. · Appointment date given according to the protocol. 4. Continuous promotional activities which includes seminar for patients and video show during clinic. 5. Second training had been conducted a month later, which was on 23rd February 2007 to the same medical officers and paramedics to refresh them on management of hypertension patient. 6. In the control clinic, the patient had received the usual care from their health care providers. There were no interventions done in the control clinic.

4.3 Phase III