The importance of non-financial motivators to pharmaceutical sales representatives: A demographic study

To succeed, sales managers will need to learn new roles and reinvent others such as applying flexible motivation approaches in working with a multicultural, hybrid, diverse sales force. Many organisations invest a great deal of time and money in designing incentive schemes that are failing to achieve their objective of motivating employees. Large amounts of money are spent on financial incentives, while ignoring non-financial incentives. As companies become increasingly cash-strapped, using non-financial motivators may be the solution. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by a sample of 100 pharmaceutical sales representatives from three South African companies. The questionnaire made use of a four-point Likert scale to rate the importance of various non-financial motivational factors. The respondents indicated that ‘good relationships with customers’ and ‘being well informed’ are the two most important non-financial motivators. The study also showed that demographic groups differ in the importance they attach to non-financial motivators. ‘Having power over other people’ was a more important motivator for sales representatives with a lower educational background. ‘Growth and promotion opportunities’ were more important to males, while differences were found between various age groups and the importance they attached to ‘flexibility of their jobs’. The results of this study could influence the structure of motivational schemes at pharmaceutical companies and enable management to recognise those factors that might lead to increased performance levels.Key words: motivation, sales representatives, non-financial motivators, demographics, reward structures, incentive scheme

FINANCING LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

Community/Rural/Urban Development,

The role of moderation in the National Senior Certificate examination

With the results of the Senior Certificate Examination (SCE), previously, and the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination, currently, under constant scrutiny, evidence of the authenticity and credibility that proper moderation processes can give, is becomingly increasingly important. This article focuses specifically on moderation processes applied to English First Additional Language, which was one of the first subjects to be assessed in the form of a national paper, prepared by the National Department of Education. In the Senior Certificate Examination that was written until the end of 2007, two of the three papers were compiled nationally butthe literature paper was still assessed on a provincial basis. A writing portfolio was also assessed and moderated provincially. A question that needed to be asked was whether all the papers and portfolios were standardised and whether the moderation processes were equally valid and effective in all provinces. Furthermore, the question whether the national papers were moderated sufficiently, also arose. With the NSC the portfolio plays an even bigger role and the question remains whether moderationprocesses really guarantee the validity of the assessment and final mark allocated to each learner. Assessment as well as moderation procedures for English First Additional Language are discussed but the main focus is on how the full process can be quality assured

Central oxygen pipeline failure

Anaesthetic and critical care staff play a governing role in the comprehension of a hospital’s oxygen delivery system and associated contingency plans for internal disaster management. Therefore, staff must be thoroughly prepared and properly trained to support an institution-wide emergency response in the event of central oxygen pipeline failure.Keywords: oxygen, pipeline, failure, anaesthesia, hospita

Physical and physiological profile of U18, U19, U21 and senior elite netball players

Background: Physical and physiological profile data for elite netball players in South Africa and internationally are limited but are necessary for conditioning programme information.Objective: To determine the physical and physiological profiles of U18, U19, U21 and senior level elite netball players at provincial level in the Free State, South Africa. The information provided is by age group and playing position. The fitness of the players for South African and New Zealand netball is also given using the fitness normative data (norms).Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study consisted of 77 elite South African netball players. Anthropometric measurements were taken according to international standards. Fitness tests included the Star Execution Balance Test, standing broad jump, double- and single-leg vertical jump, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1(IR1) test, sprints over 5, 10 and 40 m, horizontal pull-ups and press-ups, the prone bridge test and anaerobic Octorepeater tests with 10 m and 20 m repeated shuttle sprints. In keeping with the descriptive nature of the study, descriptive statistics were calculated for numerical data by age group and playing position.Results: Players generally did not meet the accepted fitness standards in the following areas: press-ups (all age groups), horizontal pull-ups (senior and U21), standing broad jump (senior and U21), vertical squat jump (senior and U21), 5 m and 10 m sprints (senior and U21); anaerobic Octorepeater (senior players), and the aerobic Yo-Yo IR1 test (all age groups).Conclusion: Strength and conditioning coaches should develop training programmes to address fitness areas where players do not meet the international standards. Keywords: sport, fitness tests, body composition, performance tests, fitness norm

Treating urinary tract infections in public sector primary healthcare facilities in Cape Town, South Africa: A pharmaceutical perspective

Background. Antibiotic resistance is a global healthcare burden complicating the management of infections. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are commonly treated in primary care. Managing UTIs appropriately in primary care can combat antibiotic resistance. The treatment practices for UTIs in primary care in Western Cape Province, South Africa, are not well described.Objectives. To describe treatment of UTIs in adults in primary care in the Cape Town metropole public sector of the Western Cape.Methods. A retrospective multicentre medical records review of patients diagnosed with UTIs was conducted during 1 October 2020 - 28 February 2021. Six public sector primary healthcare facilities were included in the study through random selection from three of the four substructures in the Cape Town metropole. Medical records of adult patients diagnosed with UTIs, through clinical diagnosis or microbiological testing, were identified via a selective sampling process. Data were collected from medical records using a standardised data collection tool.Results. A total of 401 UTI episodes occurred in 383 patients during the study period. The majority of UTI episodes (84.3%) occurred in females, complicated UTIs (74.1%) were more common than uncomplicated UTIs, and nitrofurantoin (57.1%) was frequently prescribed, followed by ciprofloxacin (39.7%). Compliance with urine microscopy recommendations was low (6.7%), and antibiotics were appropriately selected in 75.0% of uncomplicated and 70.0% of complicated UTI episodes.Conclusion. Interventions are required to improve compliance with treatment recommendations as per the standard treatment guidelines, especially when selecting the appropriate antibiotic, duration of therapy and urine microscop

Psychological career meta-capacities in relation to employees’ retention-related dispositions

Staff retention has become a complex issue facing many contemporary organisations. The study examined the relationship dynamics between employees’ psychological career meta-capacities (measured by the Psychological Career Resources Inventory) and their retention-related dispositions (measured by the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale and the Organisation-related Commitment Scale). A quantitative survey was conducted involving a non-probability purposive sample of predominantly black females in the early life career stage, employed at managerial and staff levels (N = 318) in the field of industrial and organisational psychology. A canonical correlation analysis indicated a significant overall relationship between the psychological career meta-capacities and the retention- related dispositions. Structural equation modelling indicated a good fit of the data with the canonical correlation-derived measurement model. In the employment equity context, the findings provide valuable pointers for the design of career development practices aimed at retaining black females in the early career stage of their lives.Key words: career development, retention, psychological career resources, career meta-capacities, career foci, commitment foci, work engagemen

A guide to performing skin-prick testing in practice: tips and tricks of the trade

Atopy can manifest in childhood as infantile eczema (atopic dermatitis), allergic rhinitis and asthma. In practice, it is critical to identify the offending allergen in atopic individuals. This will not only influence therapeutic interventions, but may also have a significant impact on the individual’s quality of life. The most common clinical test for allergy detection is the introduction of an allergen directly into the skin in the form of a skin-prick test. Skin-prick testing is recommended in the diagnostic workup for allergies because it is reliable, safe, convenient, inexpensive, minimally invasive, and has the advantage of multiple allergen testing in one, 15- to 20-minute, test. Skin-prick testing can be performed from birth onwards. Although there is a small risk of developing anaphylaxis, the test remains safe to perform in a consultation room or at the patient’s bedside. Worldwide, a skin-prick test remains the test of choice for allergy because of its convenience and cost-effectiveness. A globally accepted guideline for skin-prick testing is still lacking and would be beneficial to both patient and physician.Keywords: allergy, indications, contraindications, cut-off points, measurement

Dear Editor

I refer to your editorial in the SADJ April 2022 77(3), and wish to highlight the need of the dental profession to take heed of rising antimicrobial resistance rates, and to focus on modifying their prescribing practices in an effort to mitigate this global crisis. To understand and contribute to antibiotic stewardship, it is important that dental practitioners, including dental students, have the necessary knowledge of correct antibiotic prescribing guidelines and antimicrobial resistance. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have contributed to the rise of antimicrobial resistance worldwide, with dentistry playing a part in the rise of antimicrobial resistance globally