Patient Perspectives on Utilizing a Mobile Medical Clinic in Rural Philippine Communities

Abstract

The purpose of the ABC’s for Global Health Medical Mobile Clinic (ABC-MMC) is to (1) provide primary health care services and (2) prevent and manage hypertension and type 2 diabetes in underserved rural villages (barangays) in Pampanga Province, Philippines. The aims of this study were: (1) to evaluate patient perceptions regarding ABC-MMC’s health care services; and (2) understand the barriers to and facilitators for patient engagement in ABC-MMC.  This was an exploratory qualitative study conducted in November 2021 using open-ended, semi-structured focus group interviews. Participants enrolled in ABC-MMC were recruited from six of the 18 barangays served by ABC-MMC. Community health workers (CHWs) recruited from each barangay were instructed on how to facilitate focus groups. Focus group interviews were digitally recorded and open coding methods were used to analyze the resulting data. Six focus groups were conducted with N=57 adult Filipino participants (28.1% male, 71.9% female). Overall, mean age was 61 years. A majority had hypertension (84.2%), while 42.1% had type 2 diabetes. Mean duration for patient-enrollment in ABC-MMC was 2.3 years. Four major focus group themes emerged: (1) barriers for access to healthcare, (2) facilitators for accessing healthcare, (3) positive perceptions towards ABC-MMC, and (4) limited health literacy. As far as authors know, ABC-MMC is the first mobile primary healthcare program emphasizing continuity of care in low-income rural Philippine barangays that (1) addresses the lack of healthcare services, and (2) focuses on chronic disease prevention and management. This study found that the ABC-MMC was well-received by rural Filipino communities. Moreover, barriers and facilitators were identified to inform how best to promote engagement in ABC-MMC services and improve health outcomes in low-income underserved rural Philippine barangays.