The profile of diabetes healthcare professionals in Indonesia: a scoping review

AIM:To explore and synthesize evidence of the literature about healthcare professionals involved in the provision of diabetes management within an Indonesian context. BACKGROUND:Indonesia is challenged to control the major burden of diabetes prevalence rate that requires a multidimensional approach with the aim to optimize existing health services by involving healthcare professionals who can promote access and provide diabetes management. METHODS:This literature review, which is integrated with a scoping study framework, used the electronic databases including CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science to locate papers particular to the Indonesian context. From the total of 568 papers found, 20 papers were selected. RESULTS:The literature review identified physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dieticians and diabetes educators as the providers of diabetes care and management in Indonesia. Collaborative management involving either interdisciplinary or intradisciplinary teams was mentioned in several papers. Internal challenges included limited skills and knowledge. External challenges included high patient volumes; a shortage of healthcare professionals and reduced funding. CONCLUSIONS:Overcoming the challenges cannot be undertaken with a workforce dominated by any one single healthcare professional. Coordinating with the government to improve the implementation of different roles in diabetes management will improve patient outcomes and thus reduce the burden of diabetes. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY:Health policy reform should support nurses and other healthcare professionals in their professional development at all levels of health care. Policy makers can use the review findings to modify the current healthcare system to address key issues in workforce development; funding for services and medications; and fostering multidisciplinary care for diabetes management.