CCMI Collaborates in a Chronic Disease Management Program in Kazakhstan

CCMI’s Connie Davis and Mike Hindmarsh co-authored a research report that was published in March 2020’s Bulletin of the World Health Organization. It tells about their experience in chronic disease management in Kazakhstan. The article is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Arman Issina, the lead of the chronic disease project who died in the crash of Bek Air flight 2100 on 27 Dec 2019.

This study evaluated a disease management program in Kazakhstan aimed at improving care quality for patients with hypertension, diabetes, and chronic heart failure. The program, implemented at seven polyclinics between November 2014 and November 2015, introduced interdisciplinary quality improvement teams and tools like patient flowsheets, decision support aids, and registries. It also provided enhanced patient follow-up and self-management support. Clinic teams participated in four interactive learning sessions and received additional coaching, with progress monitored by national and regional committees.

Key outcomes included substantial improvements in care quality. For hypertensive patients, the proportion achieving recommended blood pressure levels increased from 24% to 56%. Diabetic patients saw significant increases in the rates of eye exams, cholesterol measurements, and albumin-creatinine ratio tests. For patients with chronic heart failure, echocardiography rates improved from 91% to 99%. Additionally, all patients set self-management goals.

The program demonstrated notable improvements in chronic disease care, highlighting the potential for further nationwide expansion with additional coaching support.

Read the full article “A programme to improve quality of care for patients with chronic diseases, Kazakhstan“.