Role of Cardiology Clinical Officers in the Preventive Cardiology: An Overview from Nairobi County, Kenya

Masese Charles¹*, AK Gikonyo², C Wangui¹, C Mutugi¹, B Kainga¹, V Ongeri³, Gachoka J¹, Premanand Ponoth⁴ and T Wachira^1
1The Karen Hospital Medical Training College
²Department of Cardiology
³Cardio-Pulmonary Perfusion
⁴Dept of Cardiac Surgery
*Corresponding Author: Masese Charles, Lecturer, The Karen Hospital Medical Training College, Nairobi.

Published: November 21, 2023

DOI: 10.55162/MCMS.05.180

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Abstract  

Kenya struggles with a limited number of cardiologists, which poses a significant gap in the healthcare system's ability to provide adequate cardiovascular care. To bridge this gap, cardiology clinical officers plays a vital role in preventing, diagnosing, treating, and managing various cardiovascular conditions. As the healthcare landscape advanced, clinical officers began specializing in various areas to meet the growing demand for specialized care. The involvement of clinical officers in different specialties have significantly expanded healthcare access and improved the quality of care provided. According to WHO (2019) in Sub-Saharan Africa, Cardiovascular Diseases(CVD) contribute to around 1 million deaths annually, representing 5.4% of global CVD-related fatalities and 13% of total deaths in Africa.

Aim: To determine the role of clinical officers in cardiology and to explore factors that will enhance the training and to promote collaboration between clinical officers in cardiology and physician cardiologist.

Methodology: A study design applying a qualitative approach. The sampling frames comprised all Clinical Officers working in 5 selected health facilities within Nairobi County. A purposive sampling technique was utilized to obtain the study sample.

Findings/Results: 95.2% of respondents could perform initial assessment and diagnosis of CVDs, 4.8 % could perform and interpret Echo & ECG, 54.7% could treat, plan and prescribe medication, 28.6% could monitor patients' progress and adjust treatment plans, 73.8% could give Patient education on lifestyle modification and disease management.

Conclusion: 88.1% of the respondents proposed training clinical officers on cardiology as faculty in colleges. A paradigm shift is needed to bridge the gap between primary and tertiary levels of cardiovascular healthcare by utilizing cardiology clinical officers and expanding cardiology training programs.

Keywords: Cardiology; Clinical officers; Clinical officer training; Physician assistants; PA

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