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Pedagogical regression through service-learning develops the holistic medical graduate by redefining reciprocity

Pedagogical regression through Service-learning uses dialogue and deliberation as active learning tools. Reciprocity is a consequence rooted in this engagement with diverse communities. The aim of the study was to analyse how reciprocity manifests during service-learning. Data collected from students, Grade 12 learners, radiography facilitators, and conference delegates were analysed. Students indicated that service-learning enhanced their learning through self-discovery and group interactions, but nothing academic was learned from the learners. They experienced personal growth and increased levels of social responsiveness. Grade 12 learners reported no educational exchange with the students. Radiography facilitators agreed that service-learning cultivates reciprocity through application of knowledge and elevates personal growth and social responsiveness in students. Conference delegates said that service-learning enhances the curriculum and cultivates social responsiveness in students. Reciprocity in service-learning is polygonal and needs to be redefined in terms of its equal mutualistic nature, of all communities benefitting from a broadly defined exchange

Mental health in Higher Education- a comparative stress risk assessment at an open distance learning university in South Africa. I

Universities depend on committed efforts of all staff members to function effectively. However, where occupational demands outweigh occupational resources, challenging work becomes stressful, followed by an exhausted, disengaged workforce. It is unlikely that disengaged university staff will provide adequate care and service to geographically distant and psychologically isolated learners. As students rely heavily on the support of both administrative staff, as well as academic staff, to manage their learning experience, the work stress experienced by both groups deserves research attention. This study employed a comparative mixed method design, including administrative and academic staff from an Open Distance Learning university in South Africa using the Job Demands-Resources measurement instrument. Findings established from 294 university staff members elucidated staff members’ experience of work stress within a mega-distance learning university in the developing world. Mindfulness about the stressors that influence university personnel can inform strategic interventions required to alleviate distress for each employment category.Human Resource Managemen

Demonstration of Cowdria ruminantium in Amblyomma hebraeum by fluorescent antibody techniques, light and electron microscopy

Positive identification of Cowdria ruminantium in Amblyomma hebraeum was obtained by direct and indirect fluorescent antibody techniques, and by light and electron microscopy. Colonies of organisms could only be demonstrated with certainty in the epithelial cells and lumen of the alimentary tract of ticks.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.am201

’n Gereformeerd-narratiewe pastorale terapie

Narrative therapy is usually connected with a post-modern paradigm like Social Constructionism. However, for some researchers and therapists post-modernity is not acceptable, since the use of such a narrative therapy could construe many contrasting points of departure in contrast to a biblical based pastoral therapy. Is it possible to deconstruct the basic elements of narrative therapy and reconstruct a pastoral narrative therapy that makes use of strategies of narrative therapy without accepting the paradigm that underlies it? This article proposes a new and exciting possibility for pastoral narrative therapy that could benefit from the many advantages of narrative therapy without being unfaithful to the unique nature of a pastoral and reformed approach

A reflection on professional development of registrars completing a module in Health Care Practice

Background. A need for professional development in the training of registrars was identified by the School of Medicine, University of the Free State (UFS), Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 2007.Objective. To develop the module on Health Care Practice (HCP) (GPV703) to address these shortcomings.Methods. A quantitative study, enhanced by qualitative data, was conducted. A self-administered questionnaire that included a rating scale and open-ended questions was used. The quantitative responses were analysed using Microsoft Excel, and the qualitative data were edited, categorised and summarised.Results. The questionnaire was completed by 95% (n=38/40) of registrars. The quantitative questions, regarding the orientation session, content and applicability of the content of the module, showed satisfactory to very good responses. Of the 40 surveys collected from registrars, 77.5% (n=31/40) were completed by heads of department (HODs). The surveys showed a significant improvement in registrar competence: 17 were given an aboveaverage rating and 14 an average rating; there were no below-average ratings.Discussion. The module on HCP, which is part of the MMed programme, addressed aspects required by registrars to develop and/or enhance their skills, knowledge and professional behaviour with regard to ethics, practice management and patient communication. Registrars were generally satisfied with the content and presentation of the module. The open-ended questions raised concerns about aspects of patient communication and electronic learning. These need to be addressed to improve the quality of the module.Conclusion. The module on HCP (GPV703), as implemented by the UFS, is successful in addressing key aspects often neglected because of the strong clinical focus of a medical programme

Microbiological evaluation of the Mhlathuze River, KwaZulu-Natal (RSA)

Continuous faecal pollution in source water is a global problem that is particularly debilitating to rural communities that are directly dependent on untreated source water for all their domestic and other purposes. The elevation of indicator bacteria levels (such as the faecal coliforms) in the water may pose a public health risk. This study reports the results of microbial monitoring of the Mhlathuze River over a 21-month period. Elevated levels of indicator micro-organisms (both faecal and total coliforms) and heterotrophic plate count bacteria were observed from March 1998 to November 1999. Surface water temperature and rainfall during this period appeared to be some of the factors affecting the increased bacterial counts. Bacteria isolated from the river included E. coli, Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacter spp. (detected frequently), Serratia spp., Klebsiella spp., and Aeromonas hydrophila (detected less frequently). This study generated some essential baseline information of the microbial population for a section of the river utilised for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes. WaterSA Vol.28(3) 2002: 281-28

An evaluation of the assessment tool used for extensive mini-dissertations in the Master’s Degree in Family Medicine, University of the Free State

Background: Family Medicine became a speciality in South Africa in 2007. Postgraduate studies in Family Medicine changed from part-time Master of Family Medicine (MFamMed) to a full-time Master of Medicine (Family Medicine) [MMed(Fam)] degree, with changes in the curriculum and assessment criteria. The overall goal of this study was to evaluate the current assessment tool for extensive mini-dissertations in the  postgraduate programme for Family Medicine, at the University of the Free State, and if necessary, to produce a valid and reliable assessment tool that is user-friendly.Method: An action research approach was used in this study, using mixed methods. Firstly, marks given by 15 assessors for four mini-dissertations using the current assessment tool were analysed quantitatively. In Phase 2, the regulation of the assessment bodies and the quantitative results of Phase 1 were discussed by assessors during a focus group interview, and data were analysed qualitatively. An adapted, improved assessment tool (Phase 3) was developed and re-evaluated in Phase 4.Results: The current assessment tool complied with the regulations of the assessment bodies. The scores allocated to specific categories varied with a median coefficient of variation of more than 15% in four of the possible 12 assessment categories. During the focus group interview, reasons for this were identified and the assessment tool adapted accordingly. During reassessment of the tool, individual assessors were identified as the  reason for poor reliability.Conclusion: The current assessment tool was found to be valid, but was not reliable for all assessment categories. The adapted assessment tool  addressed these areas, but identified lack of training and experience in the assessment of extensive mini-dissertations by certain assessors as the main reason for unreliable assessment

The epizootiology and control of heartwater and other tick-borne diseases of cattle in South Africa

The history of the main bovine tick-borne diseases occurring in South Africa and the role Onderstepoort played in their identification and control is briefly reviewed. The present attitudes regarding the control of tickborne diseases, taking into account their complexity, is discussed. Gaps in our knowledge regarding heartwater epizootiology and possible future studies are defined.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 600dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format