Role of Physicians in Primary Health Care Health Promotion Program in Semarang

Primary Health Care (PHC) is the first line health care provider that has a duty, among others, to do health promotion (HP). Physicians play a strategic role in health promotion by providing information, education and communication (IEC) to the patients during their practice and Health Promotion (HP) sessions. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and role of physicians in HP program in PHC. A descriptive study was conducted between June and August 2017 among Health Social Insurance Agency (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial Kesehatan, BPJSK) care provider partners (physicians) working for Public Health Center (Pusat Kesehatan Masyarakat, Puskesmas) and private primary clinics. Data were collected through questionnaire distribution, in-depth interview, and observation and were analyzed descriptively. Of all physicians involved in this study, 98% were involved in HP, 82% provided HP to their patient, 90% were involved in HP planning and its implementation, 72% were involved in monitoring and evaluation. Only 16% were involved in the analysis of the data for planning and 4%, 12%, and 28% were involved in environment optimization, advocacy, and partnership, respectively. The HP approach implemented by the physicians was IEC to their patients, families, and community The role of physicians in HP is particularly giving IEC to their patients, families, and community but this role should be improved by adding HP evidence-based planning and strategy development to improve HP services in PHC.