scholarly journals Interprofessional collaborative learning in the workplace: a qualitative study at a non-governmental organisation in Durban, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarentha Chetty ◽  
Varsha Bangalee ◽  
Petra Brysiewicz
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Rapid Progression ◽  
Research Site ◽  
Company Culture

Abstract Background The rapid progression of diseases and the complex, changing landscape of healthcare has increased the awareness that interprofessional collaboration is essential in ensuring safe and effective healthcare delivery. However, to develop a “collaborative practice-ready” workforce, organisations need to invest in the application of alternative approaches to the training of healthcare professionals. Purpose of the study To describe the perceptions of healthcare professionals attending an HIV interprofessional collaborative initiative at a non-governmental organization research site in South Africa and to provide suggestions regarding the improvement of this educational programme. Methods Focus group discussions (December 2018 to January 2019), were conducted on a purposeful sample (N = 21) consisting of healthcare professionals (clinicians, pharmacists, pharmacy assistants, and nurses), and clinical trial staff (recruiters, administrators, QC officers, psychologists, counsellors) based at a research site, who were invited to attend a continuing medical education initiative on the pathogenesis and treatment of HIV. Qualitative content analysis was carried out to identify meaning units, which were then condensed and labelled with a code. This was further grouped to form categories. Results Five categories emerged: learning something new, acquiring from each other, promoting company culture, needing company buy-in and teaching methods matter. Interprofessional collaborative learning improved technical capacity, work relationships and company culture. The diversity in learning needs of the different professionals requires a structuring of a curriculum to meet the needs of all. The success of this initiative requires company buy-in/investment and recognition from leaders and higher management with regards to time and resources. Suggestions for improvement included: formalizing the training, introducing more lectures and pitching each topic at different levels i.e. basic, intermediate or advanced, thus ensuring maximum benefit for all. Conclusion Inter-professional learning was perceived as highly valuable. This initiative has the potential to develop further but requires resources and company buy-in. All staff working (clinical and non-clinical) at the NGO site were represented in the interviews, thus ensuring a richer understanding of all perspectives relevant to the study site. The small sample size confined to a single research site, however, prevents these findings from being generalized and limits the applicability of its findings.

scholarly journals Gender Transformation Experiences among Women Leaders in the Western Cape TVET Sector: A Narrative Response

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
René Bonzet ◽  
Beatrice Liezel Frick
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Women Leaders ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Vocational Education And Training ◽  
Problem Solution ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Professional Career ◽  
Gender Transformation ◽  
Plot Structure

Leadership structures in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in South Africa face stark gender inequalities. Narratives of women currently in TVET leadership positions in the Western Cape province of South Africa might shed light on gender transformation in this sector. This article provides an insider perspective on 10 purposively selected respondents’ shared experiences during their careers as women leaders through a narrative methodology. The data produced themes like family roles and a professional career balance, stages in becoming a leader, gender-related notions, leadership contexts, and strategies to manage gendered experiences. The analytical framework developed illustrates how these themes were reconciled with a structured method of narrative analysis, described as a problem-solution approach, analysing raw data for five elements of plot structure, namely characters, setting, problem, actions, and resolutions. Aligning the conceptual and analytical frameworks facilitated re-storying inside a plot-structured narrative. The results reported gender transformation progress regarding the career progression of women leaders. Conversely, progress concerning gender stereotyping and men-to-women and women-to-women discrimination was unsatisfactory, causing some respondents to abandon leadership ambitions. Although the small sample size precludes any claim to generalisability, the reported narratives serve as a guideline in addressing all-inclusive gender transformation in TVET college leadership.

scholarly journals ‘I’m doing it for myself’: Using a smartphone-based exercise service during the COVID-19 lockdown in the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Demitri Constantinou ◽  
Georgia Torres ◽  
Natalia Neophytou ◽  
Peter Fourie ◽  
Xenia Buntting ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
The University

Background: Sufficient physical activity (PA) lowers poor health outcomes, with data showing these protective effects in populations under varying levels of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. The advent of online PA programmes has created novel opportunities to offset the deleterious effects of inactivity. However, data are limited and the readiness and acceptance of such technology is unknown. These authors nevertheless noted an opportunity to investigate this approach based on promising emerging data at the time of the hard lockdown in South Africa. Objective: This exploratory study investigated the engagement and perceptions of a smartphone application to promote health and fitness in a sample of employees at a South African university. Methods: Employed members of staff (n=15) of the University of the Witwatersrand were recruited through email invitation during the hard Level 5 COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Individualised home-based PA programmes were prescribed through a mobile application for a period of eight weeks. Researchers qualified in Biokinetics provided online supervision of the exercise sessions during the intervention. Participants were asked to complete a self-reported questionnaire about their use of the application. Thematic analysis was used to understand these responses. Results: Lack of motivation was perceived to have a negative effect on participation in the online PA programme. Only one participant reported using the mobile application consistently during the study period, while half of the participants reported having trouble with the usage of the application. The participants frequently mentioned the need for technical support and further engagement from the clinicians supervising the PA programme to ensure use and progression. Staff identified issues with connectivity and already having too many phone applications (apps) amongst the reasons for the technical difficulties. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the challenges and potential for the uptake of online PA interventions during COVID-19 and, despite its small sample size, the data provide important lessons learned that will be used as information in further investigations.

Characteristics of Online Comments Following High-Profile Celebrity Suicide

Crisis ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Mok ◽  
Nicola Chen
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Word Count ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Personal Stories ◽  
Online Comments ◽  
Celebrity Suicide ◽  
Linguistic Characteristic

Abstract. Background: On the Internet, individuals can freely read about or talk to others about suicide. However, little is known about the nature of these online interactions and the potential impact on users. Aims: This study aimed to examine the characteristics of online comments following high-profile celebrity suicide, comparing top-rated comments with controversial comments. Method: Comments from a popular thread on Reddit made following the deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain were examined using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count and qualitative content analysis. Results: Top-scoring comments were associated with a higher level of authenticity, a higher word count, and a greater focus on the past. These comments were characterized by personal stories of experiences with suicidality or knowing someone who had attempted/died by suicide. Limitations: Our small sample size was underpowered for the linguistic characteristic analyses, and differences in some characteristics may not have been identified. Conclusions: Despite concerns over the potential dangers of the Internet on suicide, it can serve as a place for individuals to share personal stories and obtain support from others.

scholarly journals An overview of the National Health Insurance and its possible impact on eye healthcare services in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Lawrence Sithole
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
National Health ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Eye Care

The National Health Insurance (NHI) is an important development that underpins democracy in South Africa. It aims to redress the inequities of public healthcare delivery by implementing transformational policies towards establishing inclusive public healthcare coverage for the entire population of South Africa, with more emphasis on health promotion. The implementation of this initiative has created some hope amongst primary eye healthcare professionals, such as optometrists, that their profession may finally be given the recognition it deserves. Although the government is contemplating introducing a new directorate for eye healthcare and forming an advisory committee on eye healthcare reporting to the Minister of Health, the extent to which eye healthcare will be incorporated into the NHI is currently not clear. It is believed that the white paper on the NHI will shed some light on these issues. Unfortunately, current indications are that the initiative has serious challenges to overcome such as poor infrastructure, budgetary constraints and lack of interest from other healthcare professionals. Furthermore, corruption issues may also need to be addressed if the NHI is to be implemented successfully. Nevertheless, the NHI remains a positive proposition for universal health coverage for the people of South Africa, and there is hope that primary eye care providers, such as optometrists and other eye care professionals, will also play a greater role in the NHI than they currently do in the public healthcare system.

Awareness of purchasing halal food among non-Muslim consumers

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1295-1311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdalla Mohamed Bashir
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Global Market ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Peace Of Mind ◽  
Halal Food

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and investigate the awareness level of non-Muslim consumers to purchasing halal food products. Research on the non-Muslim consumers’ awareness towards purchasing halal food products is poorly understood so far in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory case study was adopted to explore new points of views about a particular issue, which is unknown, or not much known about it, to formulate ideas or propositions. Semi-structured interviews were the major primary data collection method. Four non-Muslim consumers from different settings purposively were selected. Thematic data analysis procedures were used. Findings The study found that non-Muslim consumers in Cape Town have a positive awareness of halal food, including its benefits and the production processes involved in producing it. The study also concluded that halal is not merely a commercial name using as a trademark in the global market. However, halal has several dimensions; primarily, for non-Muslim consumers, it is a mark of health and hygiene. With regard to psychological aspect, halal is considered as a sign of trust, comfortable and safe. It gives consumers a peace of mind when they consume food products that carry the halal label. Research limitations/implications Limitations in the study should be acknowledged. The main limitation of the study is that a small sample size was selected for this study. Another limitation is that the study was only conducted in the city of Cape Town. Originality/value This is the first qualitative study of its kind that presents an empirical evidence about the awareness of the non-Muslim consumers towards purchasing halal food products in South Africa, in general, and in Cape Town, in particular.

“What's next? Calling beer-drinking a sport?!”: virtual resistance to considering eSport as sport

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Tjønndal
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Sport Management ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sport Fans ◽  
Sport Video ◽  
Online Spaces ◽  
International Sport

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study virtual resistance towards the introduction of Norway's first professional eSport league in the category of sport video games (SVGs), Eserien – the professional FIFA league and its inclusion in the Norwegian Football Federation.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative content analysis of texts published from the first season of Eserien was launched (December 2018) and during the first season of Eserien (April 2019 to December 2019) in Norwegian online spaces. Based on this approach, a total of 23 texts were subjected to a qualitative content analysis. The theoretical framework for the analysis of the material is Guttmann's (1978/2004) characteristics of modern sport and processes of sportification, as well as conceptualizations of the sport-health ideology in national and international sport policies today.FindingsThe arguments made against the inclusion of the professional FIFA league Eserien as part of the Norwegian Football Federation revolves around three main themes: (1) eSport as something unhealthy and inactive, (2) issues of cheating and match fixing in professional eSports and (3) threats professionalized eSport poses for traditional football clubs and players in terms of securing sponsorship and gaining media attention.Research limitations/implicationsA limitation is the small sample size consisting of data from the first season of the first professional FIFA league organized by a Norwegian governing sport body. More research is needed to support the results found here, and readers should be careful to transfer the findings from this study to other sporting contexts.Originality/valueThis study is an empirical exploration of resistance towards eSport expressed by traditional sport fans. These insights expand on existing sport management research on spectators, commercialization and professionalization of eSport.

Healthcare managers’ perception of economies of scale

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Svarts
Keyword(s):  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Scale Effects ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Fixed Cost ◽  
Fixed Costs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how healthcare managers perceive economies of scale and the underlying mechanisms for how scale/size affects performance. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected in 20 in-depth interviews with healthcare professionals from 13 healthcare delivery organizations and from a public authority that finances and contracts healthcare services. Data were coded and analysed using content analysis. Findings The study concludes that the impact of scale on performance is perceived by healthcare professionals to be different for different types of healthcare services: For surgery, significant scale effects related to spreading of fixed cost, the experience curve, and potential for process improvement. For inpatient care, moderate scale effects related to spreading of fixed costs and costs of doctors on on-call duty. For outpatient care, small or no scale effects. Research limitations/implications The small sample of interviewees from a single geographical region and healthcare system limits the applicability of the findings. Originality/value The paper provides insights into how healthcare managers experience scale effects and how they consider economies of scale when planning hospital configuration. Also, past studies of economies of scale in hospitals proffer mixed results and the findings in this paper indicate a possible explanation for this inconclusiveness, i.e. differences in service mix between different hospitals.

scholarly journals Healthcare delivery and information provision in bariatric surgery in Germany: qualitative interviews with bariatric surgeons

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Breuing ◽  
Nadja Könsgen ◽  
Katharina Doni ◽  
Annika Lena Neuhaus ◽  
Dawid Pieper
Keyword(s):  
Bariatric Surgery ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background There are several healthcare professionals involved in health information provision regarding bariatric surgery, such as bariatric surgeons, nutritionists, and medical doctors in outpatient settings. Trustworthy health information supports patients in understanding their diagnosis, treatment decisions, and possible prognosis. Therefore, it is necessary to provide health information on bariatric surgery. This study has two distinct objectives. The first is to outline the delivery of healthcare regarding bariatric surgery in Germany. The second is to describe the information provision within healthcare delivery. Methods We conducted 15 semi-structured telephone interviews with bariatric surgeons between April 2018 and February 2019. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The interview guide consisted of four sections (information about the clinic/surgeon and surgical procedures, preoperative procedure, postoperative procedure, information needs). The transcribed interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis supported by MAXQDA software. Results The pre- and postoperative processes differed substantially between clinics. Additionally, every bariatric clinic had its own information provision concept. There were several cost-related issues the surgeons claimed to be relevant for patients, such as nutritional blood tests or postoperative psychotherapy. These issues were often caused by unclearness of responsibility within the medical disciplines involved. Conclusion Healthcare delivery in bariatric surgery in Germany is heterogeneous in terms of pre- and postoperative care. Therefore, preoperative information provision between the clinics differs. The impact of this heterogeneous healthcare delivery and information provision on patients’ information needs regarding bariatric surgery should be further investigated among patients and other healthcare professionals involved.

scholarly journals A study of some infectious causes of reproductive disorders in cattle owned by resource-poor farmers in Gauteng Province, South Africa

2011 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Njiro ◽  
A. G. Kidanemariam ◽  
A. M. Tsotetsi ◽  
T. C. Katsande ◽  
M. Mnisi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Brucella Abortus ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Reproductive Disorders ◽  
High Seroprevalence ◽  
Gauteng Province ◽  
Mucosal Disease ◽  
Low Prevalence

Two hundred and thirty-nine cattle from Gauteng Province in South Africa were tested for various pathogens causing reproductive diseases including bovine viral diarrhoea/mucosal disease (BVD/MD) virus, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IBR/IPV) virus, Neospora caninum and Brucella abortus using various tests. For BVD/MD virus, 49.37 % tested positive, 74.47 % for IBR/IPV virus, 8.96 % for Neospora caninum and 3.8 % for Brucella abortus. The result for Brucella abortus is higher than the national average, possibly due to the small sample size. A high seroprevalence of antibodies to both BVD/MD virus and IBR/IPV virus was evident. These 2 viruses should be considered, in addition to Brucella abortus, when trying to establish causes of abortion in cattle. The clinical significance of Neospora caninum as a cause of abortion in Gauteng needs further investigation. One hundred and forty-three bulls were tested for Campylobacter fetus and Trichomonas fetus, and a low prevalence of 1.4 % and 2.1 % respectively was found in this study. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Prevalence and risk of staphylococcal and coliform carcass contamination of chickens slaughtered in the informal market in Gauteng, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluwatola Adigun ◽  
Folorunso Oludayo Fasina ◽  
Awoke Kidanemariam ◽  
Nomakorinte Gcebe ◽  
Abiodun A. Adesiyun
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Aerobic Bacteria ◽  
High Turnover ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Indicator Microorganisms ◽  
Rinse Water

PurposeThe primary objective was to determine the prevalence of indicator microorganisms [Staphylococcus aureus, non-S. aureus staphylococci (NSAS), coliforms and aerobic bacteria] for contamination of chicken carcasses, carcass drip and rinse water from the informal chicken market in Gauteng, South Africa.Design/methodology/approachChicken swabs, chicken drips and rinse waters were collected from 151 chickens from 47 random outlets. Pre-tested questionnaires were administered to capture the risk factors for bacterial contamination. Standard microbiological procedures were conducted for isolation and enumeration of target bacteria.FindingsNSAS (64% and 41%) and S. aureus (12% and 31%) were prevalent on carcasses and in carcass drip respectively. Coliforms (62%) and aerobic bacteria (85%) were detected in rinse water. Significant risk factors for contamination of carcasses with NSAS, S. aureus and coliform organisms were: evisceration of chickens on the same location used for sale, cleaning of display counter with dirty clothes/wipes, holding of differently sourced chickens in the same cage prior to slaughter, not cleaning the display table/counter and hands at all, washing knives in rinse water, high turnover of daily slaughter and length of time to display chickens.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of this research were the limited geographical coverage and small sample size.Practical implicationsThe isolation of these indicator microorganisms suggests the potential presence of other chicken-borne pathogens not tested for in the study.Social implicationsThe findings serve to inform policy on public health and street-vended food and can guide control on good sanitary practices.Originality/valueThis is the first comprehensive report on ready to eat chickens from the informal markets in Gauteng, South Africa.

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