An Evaluation of the Role of an Intermediate Care Facility in the Continuum of Care in Western Cape, South Africa

Abstract Background: A comprehensive primary healthcare (PHC) approach requires clear referral and continuity of care pathways. South Africa is a lower-middle income country (LMIC) that lacks data on the role of intermediate care (IC) services in the health system. This study described the model of service provision at one facility in Cape Town, including reason for admission, the mix of services and skills provided and needed, patient satisfaction, patient outcome and articulation with other services across the spectrum of care. Methods: A multi-method design was used. Sixty-eight patients were recruited over one month in mid-2011 in a prospective cohort. Patient data were collected from clinical record review and an interviewer-administered questionnaire, administered shortly after admission to assess primary and secondary diagnosis, referring institution, knowledge of and previous use of home based care (HBC) services, reason for admission and demographics. A telephonic questionnaire at 9-weeks post-discharge recorded their vital status, use of HBC post-discharge and their satisfaction with care received. Staff members completed a self-administered questionnaire to describe demographics and skills. Cox regression was used to identify predictors of survival. Results: Of the 68 participants, 38% and 24% were referred from a secondary and tertiary hospital, respectively. Stroke (35%) was the most common single reason for admission. The three most common reasons reported why care was better at the IC facility were staff attitude, the presence of physiotherapy and the wound care. Even though most patients reported admission to another health facility in the preceding year, only 13 patients (21%) had ever accessed HBC and only 25% (n=15) of discharged patients used HBC post-discharge. Of the 57 patients traced on follow-up, 21(37%) had died. The presence of a Care-plan was significantly associated with a 62% lower risk of death (hazard ratio: 0.38; CI 0.15–0.97). Notably, 46% of staff members reported performing roles that were outside their scope of practice and there was a mismatch between what staff reported doing and their actual tasks. Conclusion: Clients understood this service as a caring environment primarily responsible for rehabilitation services. A Care-plan beyond admission could significantly reduce mortality. There was poor referral to and poor articulation with HBC services. IC services should be recognised as an integral part of the health system and should be accessible

Prevalence of obesity and associated risk factors among children and adolescents in the Eastern Cape Province

Obesity is a global public health concern that begins in childhood and is on the rise among people aged 18 and up, with substantial health consequences that offer socioeconomic challenges at all levels, from households to governments. Obesity and associated risk factors were investigated in children and adolescents in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Mt Frere among 209 conveniently selected participants using anthropometric measurements and a structured questionnaire. Chi-squared statistics or Fisher’s exact test were used to evaluate the risk factors predicting different outcomes such as hypertension or diabetes mellitus

The association between HIV tri-therapy with the development of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus in a rural South African District: A case-control study

BackgroundCombination antiretroviral drugs (cARVs) prolong patients' lives but are unfortunately thought to increase complications related to metabolic disorders including type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM). We sought to confirm the association of cARVs with type-2 DM and ascertain the extent of this association in a rural South African setting.MethodsA case-control study of 177 (33.33%) cases with HIV/AIDS and type-2 DM were selected and compared with 354 (66.67%) non-DM HIV/AIDS unmatched controls from a rural district of South Africa's third most populous province (Eastern Cape). Cases were identified from community health centres using the district health information system, and controls were identified using simple random sampling from the same health facilities. Odds Ratios (OR), together with 95% confidence intervals, were calculated for all the univariable and multivariable logistic analyses.ResultsThis study found that cARVs significantly increased the occurrence of type-2 DM among HIV patients. Patients on protease inhibitors (PIs) were at least 21 times significantly (pConclusionThis study has been able to establish the association between cARVs and type-2 DM. It therefore proposes consideration of the usage of AZT, D4T, lopivavir and ritonavir for the treatment of HIV. The study further proposes more prospective research to test these findings further

Telegestión simulada para la enseñanza a estudiantes de medicina sobre la toma de decisiones en gestión en el primer nivel de atención de salud

Introduction: Medical students are poorly prepared in health services management due to the use of traditional teaching methods, developed in theoretical environments with poor active participation. Virtual simulated training is an innovative alternative in the learning process. Objective: This study aimed to determine the knowledge improvement in managerial decision-making amongst medical students at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Peru, after a virtual simulated training. Methods: A before-after cross-sectional design was undertaken among final year medical students to measure their improvement in management knowledge. The simulation methodology was used as a component of the Medical Externship clinical course in which the administrative dimension of a clinical case such as hypoacusis was considered. Results: Of the 79 participants, 48 (60.8%) were female and the median age was 25 years. There was a median satisfaction level of 3.8 and the performance median score was 17. The median post-test rank scores were higher and statistically significant than pre-test rank scores (p = 0.004); post-test scores for males (p-value = 0.05) and females (p = 0.03) were also statistically higher than pre-test scores. Conclusion: The non-clinical simulation experience improves the knowledge on managerial decision making. It also opens opportunities to work on management issues in clinical courses, providing a comprehensive learning experience. On the other hand, it is an innovative experience where a clinical course adopts a management component.Introducción: Los estudiantes de medicina están poco preparados en gestión de servicios de salud debido al uso de métodos de enseñanza tradicionales, llevados a cabo en entornos teóricos y poco participativos. La formación virtual simulada es una alternativa innovadora en el proceso de aprendizaje. Objetivo: Determinar la mejora en conocimientos sobre la toma de decisiones gerenciales entre los estudiantes de medicina de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos en Perú, tras un entrenamiento simulado virtual. Métodos: Estudio de diseño transversal de antes-después en estudiantes de último año de medicina. La metodología de simulación se utilizó como un componente del curso clínico de externado, en el que se consideró la dimensión administrativa de un caso clínico de hipoacusia. Resultados: De los 79 participantes, 48 (60,8%) eran mujeres y la edad media era de 25 años. La mediana del nivel de satisfacción fue de 3,8 y la mediana del rendimiento fue de 17. La mediana de las puntuaciones del post-test fue mayor y estadísticamente significativa en comparación a la del pre-test (p = 0,004); las puntuaciones post-test fueron más altas que las puntuaciones pre-test para los hombres (p = 0,05) y mujeres (p = 0,03). Conclusiones: La experiencia de simulación no clínica logra una mejora significativa en el conocimiento de los participantes. Además, abre oportunidades para trabajar los temas de gestión en los cursos clínicos, proporcionando una experiencia de aprendizaje integral. Por otro lado, es una experiencia innovadora en la que un curso clínico adopta un componente de gestión

An Evaluation of the Role of an Intermediate Care Facility in the Continuum of Care in Western Cape, South Africa

Background A comprehensive primary healthcare (PHC) approach requires clear referral and continuity of care pathways. South Africa is a lower-middle income country (LMIC) that lacks data on the role of intermediate care (IC) services in the health system. This study described the model of service provision at one facility in Cape Town, including reason for admission, the mix of services and skills provided and needed, patient satisfaction, patient outcome and articulation with other services across the spectrum of care. Methods A multi-method design was used. Sixty-eight patients were recruited over one month in mid-2011 in a prospective cohort. Patient data were collected from clinical record review and an interviewer-administered questionnaire, administered shortly after admission to assess primary and secondary diagnosis, referring institution, knowledge of and previous use of home based care (HBC) services, reason for admission and demographics. A telephonic questionnaire at 9-weeks post-discharge recorded their vital status, use of HBC post-discharge and their satisfaction with care received. Staff members completed a self-administered questionnaire to describe demographics and skills. Cox regression was used to identify predictors of survival. Results Of the 68 participants, 38% and 24% were referred from a secondary and tertiary hospital, respectively. Stroke (35%) was the most common single reason for admission. The three most common reasons reported why care was better at the IC facility were staff attitude, the presence of physiotherapy and the wound care. Even though most patients reported admission to another health facility in the preceding year, only 13 patients (21%) had ever accessed HBC and only 25% (n = 15) of discharged patients used HBC post-discharge. Of the 57 patients traced on follow-up, 21(37%) had died. The presence of a Care-plan was significantly associated with a 62% lower risk of death (hazard ratio: 0.38; CI 0.15–0.97). Notably, 46% of staff members reported performing roles that were outside their scope of practice and there was a mismatch between what staff reported doing and their actual tasks. Conclusion Clients understood this service as a caring environment primarily responsible for rehabilitation services. A Care-plan beyond admission could significantly reduce mortality. There was poor referral to and poor articulation with HBC services. IC services should be recognised as an integral part of the health system and should be accessible