Acceptability of Task Shifting Primary Care Diabetes Self-Management Education Services to Volunteer Barangay Health Workers in a Philippine City

Objective. The primary objective of this study was to explore the acceptability of task shifting to volunteer barangay health workers (BHWs) in the implementation of community-based Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) in the Philippines.

Methods. This study employed a descriptive qualitative study design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with twelve stakeholders. The study was conducted in the urban city of Marikina which has a high prevalence of diabetes, and high death rates for diabetes and cerebrovascular disease relative to the regional and national rates. A purposive sampling technique was used in selecting participants.

Results. Task shifting Diabetes Self-Management Education to BHWs is generally acceptable to the participants.
Expanding the roles of BHWs should be supported by adequate training, compensation, supervision, and financial and non-financial incentives. Ensuring adequate support and resources to execute BHWs’ duties and responsibilities as volunteer health workers can promote the effective implementation of task shifting DSME in primary care.

Conclusion. Findings from this study provide preliminary evidence of the acceptability of task shifting to BHWs in the management of diabetes mellitus. The study highlights the importance of institutionalizing task shifting in the health system to promote acceptance and sustainability