On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the Faculty of Public Health (FPH) Universitas Indonesia (UI) held a Doctoral Promotion defense for Putri Permatasari. The promotors for this defense were Prof. Dr. drg. Mardiati Nadjib, M.Sc., with Co-Promotor Prof. Dr. Besral, S.K.M., M.Sc. The defense was chaired by Prof. dr. Adang Bachtiar, M.P.H., D.Sc., with the examining committee consisting of Prof. Dr. dra. Dumilah Ayuningtyas, M.A.R.S.; Dr. Pujiyanto, S.K.M., M.Kes.; Prof. Dr. dr. Hikmat Permana, Sp.PD-KEMD.; Dr. dr. Mahlil Ruby, M.Kes.; Dr. Eva Susanti, S.Kp., M.Kes.; and Prof. Dr. dr. Fachmi Idris, M.Kes. During the defense, the promovendus presented her dissertation titled “The Contribution of the Chronic Disease Management Program (PROLANIS) in Blood Sugar Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients Participating in the Return Referral Program (PRB) in South Jakarta and Pandeglang District.”
This dissertation research is based on the major issue found in PRB, namely the inadequate management of the referral service, frequent drug shortages, and poor clinical coordination between health facilities, as well as a significant number of diabetes mellitus (DM) patients not being registered in PROLANIS activities. The promovendus aimed to prove the contribution of PROLANIS to the blood sugar control of PRB participants after controlling for individual factors, health facility factors, and district/city factors. The research applied a quantitative study design with a retrospective cohort approach. The total sample in this study included 348 individuals at the individual level, 94 people at the health facility level, and 96 people at the district/city level.
The findings of this study showed that DM patients who participated in PRB and PROLANIS had a 5.63 times greater chance of improving blood sugar control. Patients who only participated in PRB had a 3.85 times greater chance of improving blood sugar control. PROLANIS contributed to blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who participated in PRB. PRB participants who engaged in PROLANIS activities showed a more significant improvement in blood sugar control compared to those who did not participate. The return referral program contributes to blood sugar control in DM patients, but its contribution is greater when DM patients also actively participate in PROLANIS. Participation in PROLANIS activities should be mandatory for DM patients in the return referral program to ensure they receive adequate health education aimed at improving blood sugar control.
The promovendus recommended that the Ministry of Health develop policies and coordinate with related organizations to provide guidelines for stable patients who can be included in the Return Referral Program by specialists at hospitals. For BPJS Kesehatan (Health Insurance), the promovendus hopes that the Return Referral Program can successfully control blood sugar if it is integrated with PROLANIS and ensures the availability of PRB drugs. Another recommendation for BPJS Kesehatan is to coordinate with the Health Department in formulating policies for the Return Referral Program and the associated medications. The Health Department could also play a role in establishing the legal framework for these policies to serve as guidelines for Primary Health Centers (Puskesmas) in planning, procuring, and providing Return Referral Program drugs while maintaining alignment with pharmaceutical service standards. Additionally, the Health Department should periodically monitor and evaluate the implementation of these policies to ensure they meet their objectives. Families or relatives should provide ongoing moral and practical support to patients undergoing treatment.
Based on her dissertation, Putri Permatasari, a lecturer in Public Health at the Faculty of Health Sciences, UPN Veteran Jakarta, was declared successful and awarded a Doctorate in Public Health Sciences as the 23rd PhD graduate in Public Health Sciences in 2024, the 325th PhD graduate in Public Health Sciences, and the 417th PhD graduate at FPH UI, with the distinction of Cum Laude, achieving a GPA of 3.87.
Putri successfully completed her Doctoral education in three years. With full support from her parents, her beloved husband, and two children, she has now become a resilient and intellectual woman who completed her studies with the help of a LPDP scholarship from the Ministry of Education and Culture. Her dedication and perseverance are also proven by her success in publishing 11 national journals/proceedings, 13 international journals/proceedings, and 6 community service activities, demonstrating significant contributions to her field of expertise. (DFD)