HRH Global Resource Center - South Africa

Lean Management in the South African Public Health Sector: A Case Study

Fri, 10 Jul 2015 15:12:46 +0000

This chapter gives an account of one relatively modest but effective intervention in an orthopaedic outpatient clinic at the New Somerset Hospital (NSH) in Cape Town in 2013. This project aimed to reduce patient waiting times in the clinic, and improve patient satisfaction.

The Use of ICT Tools (Mobile Phones) to Improve Awareness of Pregnancy Danger Signs among Pregnant Women in Rural Communities of South Africa

Mon, 02 Mar 2015 18:22:24 +0000

he present study investigated awareness of pregnancy danger signs, symptoms and associated factors among a group of South African pregnant women attending prenatal care clinics in rural setting. [from abstract]

The Factors that Attract Healthcare Professionals to and Retain Them in Rural Areas in South Africa

Wed, 25 Feb 2015 15:51:46 +0000

Attracting healthcare professionals (HCPs) to rural areas and retaining them there remains a challenge. Current retention strategies focus on the factors that cause people to leave rural areas, but these strategies continue to fail to retain HCPs in these areas, and the situation in which there is a lack of quality and inadequacy of the type of health services is perpetuated. The literature describes factors that attract healthcare workers to work in rural areas, and this study contributes to a deeper understanding of this. [from abstract]

The Self-Reported Learning Needs of Primary Care Doctors in South Africa: A Descriptive Survey

Wed, 25 Feb 2015 15:42:05 +0000

Strengthening primary health care in South Africa is a prerequisite for the successful introduction of National
Health Insurance. Primary care doctors from both the public and private sectors are an essential contributor to achieving this goal. In order to prepare these doctors for their future role, a national diploma training programme is being developed. This study aimed to evaluate the learning needs of primary care doctors and to assist with the design of the diploma. [from abstract]

Mobile Application Design for Health Intermediaries: Considerations for Information Access and Use

Wed, 25 Feb 2015 13:50:38 +0000

This paper employs a qualitative meta-analysis in unpacking the dynamism of intermediary practice in South Africa. The authors consider mobile application design in accessing and using health information. A number of critical design considerations are presented, including the role of context as a static and dynamic modality. The authors ultimately derive an information model, which assimilates four intersecting dimensions of context. [from abstract]

The Role of the District Family Physician

Wed, 18 Feb 2015 14:21:23 +0000

District clinical specialist teams were formed in 2012. One member of the team is the family physician. The role of the district family physician is discussed and the case made for focusing on the organisational health of the medical teams practising family medicine within the district as an effective way to improve the quality of medical care delivered in the district. [from abstract]

Rural-Proofing for Health: Guidelines

Mon, 02 Feb 2015 19:19:55 +0000

A guide to accounting for rural contexts in health policy, strategic planning and resourcing. Addressing the
specific rural health context in policy design, budget allocations and implementation plans is not yet a standard process in South Africa. This guide addresses that, to ensure that “the rural health context” is addressed adequately
when new policies and budgets are drawn up and implemented in the beautiful rural parts of our country. [adapted from resource]

Aligning Vertical Interventions to Health Systems: A Case Study of the HIV Monitoring and Evaluation System in South Africa

Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:33:19 +0000

Since responsibility for health services management lies at the district (sub-national) level, this study aimed to assess the extent to which the HIV M&E system is integrated with the overall health system M&E function at district level. This study describes implementation of the HIV M&E system, determines the extent to which it is integrated with the district health information system (DHIS), and evaluates factors influencing HIV M&E integration. [from abstract]

Public Health Care for South African Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People: Health Rights Violations and Accountability Mechanisms

Mon, 26 Jan 2015 15:11:57 +0000

This study aimed to document LGBT people’s experiences in SA public sector health care, including access to HIV counselling, testing and treatment, to analyse to what extend LGBT people’s right to health is actioned. It also investigates strategies for LGBT people to seek resolution and create accountability when experiencing health rights violations. [from abstract]

Conceptualizing the Impacts of Dual Practice on the Retention of Public Sector Specialists - Evidence from South Africa

Mon, 26 Jan 2015 14:24:26 +0000

‘Dual practice’, or multiple job holding, generally involves public sector-based health workers taking additional work in the private sector. There has been little conceptual or empirical development of the relationship between dual practice and retention. This article helps begin to fill this gap, drawing on empirical evidence from a qualitative
study focusing on South African specialists. [from abstract]