Community Primary Care-Based Hypertension and Diabetes Management Program in Korea: Evaluation of Participating Patients and Doctors

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of a community-based primary care program focused on hypertension and diabetes in Korea. METHODS: We selected patients and doctors who participated in the community-based primary care program as study subjects from Aug 2015 to Jan 2016. Patients and physicians completed a survey, and medical records were reviewed to obtain information regarding clinical variables. Change in the baseline recognition of diseases, motivation for changing health behavior, medical services utilization, doctor-patient relationship were assessed after participation in the program. RESULTS: Both patients and physicians indicated there was improvement in recognition of disease, motivation for changing health behavior, medical services utilization, and doctor-patient relationship (All of recognition scores were above the median point). Patient health behavior such as exercise, smoking, drinking and diet and clinical variables (blood pressure and blood glucose and cholesterol level) also showed significant improvement. CONCLUSION: The community-based primary care program was found to be helpful in improving hypertension and diabetes patients’ overall outcomes and their healthcare providers’ behavior.