A programme to facilitate quality client-centred care in Primary Health Care clinics of the rural West Coast District

Philosophiae Doctor - PhDIntroduction: The overall aim of this study was to develop a programme to facilitate quality client-centred care in Primary Health Care clinics of the rural West Coast District. Research design and -method: Both quantitative and qualitative methods were applied for this study . Phase 1, a situational analysis collected and analysed quantitative data from the perspective of clients and clinical nurse practitioners via structured questionnaires. The population included all clients 18 years and older (N=137 991) of the fixed clinics (N=25) in the five subdistricts of the West Coast District. According to the Cochran formula a sample of (n=383) should be adequate to represent the population. Non-proportional sampling was applied to estimate the number of participants per clinic. An all-inclusive sample of (n=64) clinical nurse practitioners participated in the study. Phase 2, the qualitative part of the situational analysis, applied five focus group discussions to explore and describe the managers and allied health professionals’ perceptions about quality client-centred care. A semi-structured interview schedule was compiled to guide the focus group discussions. An all-inclusive sample was utilised to include all the managers and allied health professionals of the five subdistricts (N=43). Phase 3 included the development of the programme based on the study findings and literature. Quantitative results: The analysis revealed the following quality client-centred care challenges, namely: Patient Rights (Domain 1) were not always respected and adhered to as these were characterised by: language (statistical p<0.001 and practical significant with a large effect size d=0.74); Satisfaction and Safety (statistical p<0.001 and practical significant with a medium effect size d=0.55); Referral Procedures (statistical significant p<0.001); Waiting Times (statistical p<0.001 and practical significant with a medium effect size d=0.47) and Confidentiality difficulties (statistical p<0.001 and practical significant with a medium effect size d=0.68). The Domain 2, Clinical Governance, Care and Safety showed shortcomings as highlighted by the Client and his/her Family (statistical p<0.001 and practical significant with a large effect size d=0.77). Clinical Support Services, Domain 3, revealed inadequacies regarding the continuous availability of medication (statistical significant p<0.008) and the reporting of side-effects (statistical significant p<0.001). Furthermore, Public Health Domain 4, showed that clients identified community health promotion and disease prevention events (statistical p<0.01 and practical significant with a large effect size d=0.79), and home visits by the community healthcare workers (statistical p<0.001 and practical significant with a large effect size d=1.09) as both a “problem” and a “gap”. Leadership and Corporate Governance, Domain 5 was characterised by the lack of: visible organograms (clients mean 2.40), community communication (clients mean 2.12 & clinical nurse practitioners mean 2.36), visibility of goals, values and future plans of the Western Cape Department of Health (statistical p<0.001 and practical significant with a medium effect size d=0.59) and role and function of the clinic committees (statistical significant p<0.008). Moreover, Domain 6, Operational Management was challenged by inadequate staffing levels (statistical significant p<0.003). Lastly, Domain 7: Infrastructure was characterised by the lack of drinking water in the waiting areas (clients mean 2.08 & clinical nurse practitioners mean 2.02), inadequate clinic space (clients mean 2.10 & clinical nurse practitioners 2.23); maintenance not up-to-date (statistical significant p<0.002); physical appearance of the clinic (statistically significant p<0.001) did not have a positive effect on staff morale and evacuation plans (statistical p<0.001 and practical significant with a medium effect size d=0.54) were not visible. In addition, correlations between the domains showed that the domains are not in silos, but are interdependent on another. Qualitative results The qualitative, thematic data analysis revealed various inadequacies regarding quality client-centred care. Theme One about the Patient Rights revealed that patients were not always treated with the necessary respect and dignity. Theme Two concerning Patient Care, revealed that focus group participants were well-informed on what the concept client-centred care entailed. However, patients and or clients did not always experience their care as client-centred. Theme Three about the Clinical Support Services, indicated shortages of medication and medical equipment; long waiting time for specialists and rehabilitation referral appointments. Theme Four, referring to the Public Health confirmed that health promotion and prevention activities are limited, due to various organizational factors and community healthcare workers’ activities which are limited to home-based care activities. Theme Five, Corporate Governance and Leadership matters were characterised by too many processes or “red tape” resulting in inefficient procurement processes, inadequate staffing and inactive health committees. Theme Six, Operational Management highlighted the severe pressure under which the operational managers have to work, resulting from their twofold role of being the clinic manager and at the same time operate as a clinical nurse practitioner. Theme Seven refers to Infrastructure and Facilities and is characterised by inadequate maintenance and lack of space according to the number of clients and package of care. To summarise: The situational analysis revealed 81 problems. These problems form the evidence base for the development of the programme to facilitate quality client-centred care in primary helth care clinics of the rural West Coast District

Knowledge of community care workers about key family practices in a rural community in South Africa

CITATION: Stellenberg, E., Van Zyl, M. & Eygelaar, J. 2015. Knowledge of community care workers about key family practices in a rural community in South Africa. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, 7(1):1-7, doi:10.4102/phcfm.v7i1.892The original publication is available at http://www.phcfm.orgBackground: Interventions by community care workers within the context of communitybased integrated management of childhood illness (CIMCI) may have a positive effect on child health if the health workers have adequate knowledge about key family practices. Setting: The study was conducted in rural areas of the West Coast district in the Western Cape, South Africa. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge of community care workers about five of the 16 key family practices of CIMCI. Methods: A descriptive survey collected a self-administered questionnaire from 257 community care workers out of a possible total of 270 (95.2% response rate). Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was applied. Results: Only 25 of the respondents (10%) obtained a score higher than 70% on the knowledgebased items of the questionnaire. Less than 25% of respondents answered questions in these key areas correctly (pneumonia [17%], tuberculosis [13%], HIV/AIDS [9%] immunisation [3%] and recommendations for a child with fever [21%]). Statistically significant correlations were found between the total score a respondent achieved and the highest level of education obtained (p < 0.01), the level of in-service training (p < 0.01), attendance of a CIMCI five-day training course (p < 0.01), and completing a subsequent refresher course (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The knowledge of CCWs was inadequate to provide safe, quality CIMCI. CIMCI refresher courses should be offered annually to improve CCWs’ knowledge and the quality of care that they render. Regular update courses could contribute to building competence.http://www.phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/892Publisher's versio

An investigation into factors influencing the quality of nursing care in district hospitals in the West Coast Winelands region of the Western Cape

Thesis (MCur (Nursing Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Every patient comes to a hospital with the expectation of getting quality care. It is not always within the ability of nursing personnel to give quality care in the work situation. Guided by the research question “What are the factors influencing the quality of nursing care in district hospitals in the West Coast Winelands Region of the Western Cape?” a scientific investigation was undertaken. The goal of this study was to identify the factors which influence the quality of nursing care in the eight (8) district hospitals of the West Coast Winelands Region of the Western Cape. The objectives set for the study were: to determine whether staffing is adequate for all activities; to evaluate what the perceptions of the nursing staff is about their current working situation; to determine what the effect of the absence of full time doctors are on the management of patient care; to evaluate whether adequate equipment is available for the execution of nursing care and to evaluate whether adequate provisions for the execution of nursing care is done. A descriptive non-experimental design with a quantitative approach was applied. The population for this study was all the nursing staff available at the time of data collection, working in the eight district hospitals of the West Coast Winelands Region. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The final sample of nursing staff was N= 280 of a total population of 340 – all the members were invited to participate. Reliability and validity were assured by means of a pilot study and the use of experts in nursing research, methodology and statistics. Data were collected personally by the researcher. Ethical approval was obtained from Stellenbosch University and various health authorities. Informed written consent was obtained from the participants. The data was analyzed with the support of the statistician; it was expressed in frequencies, tables and histograms. Comparisons between variables were made using either ANOVA (Analysis of variance) techniques or cross-tabulations with the Chi-square test. The 95% confidence interval was applied to determine whether there was an association between the various variables. The analysis shows that participants of the separate wards hospitals N=142 (90%) and the mixed wards type hospitals N=113 (95%) disagree that staff provision (numbers) is adequate. From the analysis it is clear that the patient documentation is not up to standard. A statistical significant correlation between hospital type and adequate time for the completion of written records (Chisquare Test p=0.00) was shown. Management N=13 (100%), registered nurses N=80 (86%), enrolled nurses N=63 (86%) and nursing assistants N= 81 (83%) disagree that it is not necessary to act beyond their scope of practice. The following recommendations were made: Safe staffing levels have to be determined; qualify staff with the necessary skills; where unit managers are still lacking, they have to be appointed; to make personnel development possible for staff; continuous auditing of patient documentation. It is necessary that there is always adequate equipment and consumables. More training is necessary for the effective and efficient implementation of the Batho Pele principles.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Elke pasiënt kom na ‘n hospitaal met die verwagting om kwaliteit verpleegsorg te ontvang. Dit is nie altyd binne die vermoë van die verpleegpersoneel om sodanige diens te kan lewer nie. “Watter faktore het ‘n invloed op die lewering van gehalteverpleegsorg in die distrikhospitale van die Weskus Wynlandstreek in die Wes Kaap? het die wetenskaplike ondersoek gelei. Die doel van die studie is om die faktore te identifiseer wat ‘n invloed het op die lewering van gehalteverpleegsorg in die ag (8) distrikhospitale van die Weskus Wynlandstreek in die Wes Kaap. Die doelwitte van die studie is: om te bepaal of personeelvoorsiening voldoende is vir al die aktiwiteite; om te evalueer wat die persepsies is van die verpleegpersoneel betreffende hulle huidige werksituasie, om te bepaal watter effek die afwesigheid van voltydse geneeshere het op pasiënte sorg; om te evalueer of toerusting voldoende is vir pasiënte sorg; om te evalueer of daar voldoende voorsiening gemaak is vir die lewering van pasiënte sorg. ‘n Beskrywende, nie-eksperimentele ontwerp as metodologie is gebruik met ‘n kwantitatiewe benadering. Die bevolking betreffende die studie was alle verpleegpersoneel, werksaam tydens die insameling van die data in die ag distrikhospitale van die Weskus Wynlandstreek. ‘n Gestruktureerde vraelys was gebruik om die data te versamel. Die finale steekproef van die verpleegpersoneel was 280 uit die totale bevolking van 340. Betroubaarheid en geldigheid is verseker deur middel van ‘n loodstudie, en deur gebruik te maak van kenners betreffende verpleegnavorsing, metodologie en statistieke. Data is persoonlik deur die navorser ingesamel. Etiese goedkeuring was verkry vanaf die Universiteit van Stellenbosch en die verskeie gesondheidsowerhede. Ingeligde, skriftelike toestemming is van elke deelnemer verkry. Data is ontleed met die ondersteuning van die statistikus en is uitgedruk in die vorm van frekwensies, tabelle en histogramme. Vergelykings tussen die veranderlikes was gedoen deur gebruik te maak van ANOVA (analise met betrekking tot variansie) en kruis-tabulerings met die Chi-kwadraat toets. 95% Betroubaarheidsinterval is toegepas om te bepaal of daar ‘n assosiasie was tussen die onderskeie veranderlikes. Die analise het getoon dat deelnemers betreffende die hospitale met aparte afdelings N=142 (90%) en die gemengde sale hospitale N=113 (95%) verskil, betreffende die stelling dat daar voldoende personeelgetalle is. Dokumentasie is volgens die analise nie op standaard nie. ‘n Statistiese betekenisvolle korrelasie is verkry met betrekking tot die hospitaal tipe en voldoende tyd betreffende volledige geskrewe dokumentasie (Chi-kwadraat Toets p=0.00). Verpleegbestuur N=13 (100%), geregistreerde verpleegkundiges N=80 (86%), stafverpleegsters N=63 (86%) en verpleegassistente N=81 (83%) het verskil met die stelling dat dit nie nodig is om buite bestek van hul praktyk te werk nie. Die volgende aanbevelings is gemaak: die bepaling van veilige personeel vlakke moet gedoen word; voldoende personeel moet gekwalifiseer word met die nodige vaardighede. Eenheidsbestuurders moet aangestel word waar dit ontbreek; personeelontwikkeling moet moontlik wees en deurlopende oudits van dokumentasie moet plaasvind. Voldoende toerusting en voorraad is nodig om kwaliteit verpleegsorg moontlik te maak. Verdere opleiding in die beginsels van Batho Pele is nodig ten einde effektiewe en doeltreffende implementering daarvan moontlik te maak

Barriers to quality patient care in rural district hospitals

Currently barriers exist in delivering quality health care. This study aimed to investigate such barriers in the eight rural district hospitals of the West Coast Winelands Region, three type A and five type B hospitals. A quantitative descriptive design was applied which included the total population of nursing staff (n = 340) working at the time of data collection. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed with a response rate of 82%. Reliability of the instrument was verified using the Cronbach alpha coefficient and a pilot study. The validity, specifically construct and content validity, were assured by means of an extensive literature review, pilot study and use of experts. Ethics approval was obtained from the relevant stakeholders. Results showed that 272 participants (97%) disagreed that provision of staff was adequate, with staff above 40 years of age more likely to disagree (p = <0.01). A statistically significant association was shown between availability of doctors and staff not being able to cope with emergencies (p = <0.01). Most participants (n =212; 76%) indicated that they were not receiving continuing education, with the registered nurses more likely to disagree (χ² test, p = 0.02). Participants in both hospital types A (n = 131; 82%) and B (n = 108; 91%) also disagreed that provision of equipment and consumables was adequate. The research showed that inadequacies relating to human resources, professional development, consumables and equipment influenced the quality of patient care. Urgent attention should be given to the problems identified to ensure quality of patient care in rural hospitals