Policies and clinical practices relating to the management of gestational diabetes mellitus in the public health sector, South Africa – a qualitative study

IntroductionEarly childhood is a critical time when the benefits of early interventions are intensified, and the adverse effects of risk can be reduced. For the optimal provision of early intervention, professionals in the field are required to have specialised knowledge and skills in implementing these programmes. In the context of South Africa, there is evidence to suggest that therapists are ill-prepared to handle the unique challenges posed in neonatal intensive care units and wards with at-risk infants in the first few weeks of life. This is attributed to several reasons; however, irrespective of the causative factors, the need to bridge this knowledge-to-practice gap remains essential.Methods and analysisThis study is a multimethod stakeholder-driven study using a scoping review followed by an appreciative inquiry and Delphi process that will aid in the development, implementation and evaluation of a knowledge translation intervention to bridge knowledge-gaps in occupational and physiotherapists working in the field. Therapists currently working in the public health sector will be recruited for participation in the various stages of the study. The analysis will occur via thematic analysis for qualitative data and percentages and frequencies for descriptive quantitative data. Issues around trustworthiness and rigour, and reliability and validity, will be ensured within each of the phases, by use of a content validity index and inter-rater reliability for the Delphi survey; thick descriptions, peer debriefing, member checking and an audit trail for the qualitative data.Ethics and disseminationThe study has received full ethical approval from the Health Research and Knowledge Management Directorate of the Department of Health and a Biomedical Research Ethics Committee. The results will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals and disseminated to the relevant stakeholders within this study.

Download Full-text

A diabetes profile of the eight districts in the public health sector, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

South African Medical Journal ◽

10.7196/samj.2019.v109i12.13972 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 109 (12) ◽

pp. 957

Author(s):

N Sahadew ◽

V S Singaram

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

South Africa ◽

Health Sector ◽

Eastern Cape Province ◽

Eastern Cape ◽

The Public ◽

Public Health Sector

Download Full-text

Early hearing detection and intervention services in the public health sector in South Africa

International Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1080/14992020802294032 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 47 (sup1) ◽

pp. S23-S29 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Marianne Theunissen ◽

Dewet Swanepoel

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

South Africa ◽

Health Sector ◽

The Public ◽

Public Health Sector ◽

Intervention Services

Download Full-text

Challenges in Providing Surgical Procedures During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Study Among Operating Department Practitioners in Pakistan

10.21203/rs.3.rs-136793/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sara Rizvi Jafree ◽

Ain ul Momina ◽

Nudra Malik ◽

Syed Ashgar Naqi ◽

Florian Fischer

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Professional Development ◽

Patient Safety ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Surgical Procedures ◽

Human Resources For Health ◽

Health Sector ◽

Teaching Hospitals ◽

The Public ◽

Public Health Sector

Abstract Background: Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are neglected human resources for health with regard to both professional development and research for patient safety. The surgical theatre is associated with the highest mortality rates and with the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. ODPs are key practitioners with respect to infection control during surgeries. Therefore, this study aims to describe challenges faced by ODPs. The secondary aim is to use empirical evidence to inform the public health sector management about both ODP professional development and improvement in surgical procedures, with a specific focus on pandemics.Methods: A qualitative study has been conducted. Data collection was based on an interview guide with open-ended questions. Interviews with 39 ODPs in public sector teaching hospitals of Pakistan who have been working during the COVID-19 pandemic were part of the analysis. Content analysis was used to generate themes.Results: Ten themes related to challenges faced by ODPs in delivering services during the pandemic for securing patient safety were identified: (i) Disparity in training for prevention of COVID-19; (ii) Shortcomings in COVID-19 testing; (iii) Supply shortages of personal protective equipment; (iv) Challenges in maintaining physical distance and prevention protocols; (v) Human resource shortages and role burden; (vi) Problems with hospital administration; (vii) Exclusion and hierarchy; (viii) Teamwork limitations and other communication issues; (ix) Error Management; and (x) Anxiety and fear. Conclusions: The public health sector, in Pakistan and other developing regions, need to invest in the professional development of ODPs and improve resources and structures for surgical procedures, during pandemics and otherwise.

Download Full-text

Protocol for Investigating the Technical Efficiency of District Hospitals in the Public Health Sector of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

JMIR Research Protocols ◽

10.2196/12037 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. e12037

Author(s):

Tesleem K Babalola ◽

Indres Moodley

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

South Africa ◽

Technical Efficiency ◽

Health Sector ◽

The Public ◽

Public Health Sector ◽

District Hospitals ◽

Kwazulu Natal

Download Full-text

Challenges in providing surgical procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic: Qualitative study among Operating Department Practitioners in Pakistan

10.21203/rs.3.rs-141107/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sara Rizvi Jafree ◽

Ain ul Momina ◽

Nudra Malik ◽

Syed Asghar Naqi ◽

Florian Fischer

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Professional Development ◽

Patient Safety ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Surgical Procedures ◽

Human Resources For Health ◽

Health Sector ◽

Teaching Hospitals ◽

The Public ◽

Public Health Sector

Abstract Background Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are neglected human resources for health with regard to both professional development and research for patient safety. The surgical theatre is associated with the highest mortality rates and with the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. ODPs are key practitioners with respect to infection control during surgeries. Therefore, this study aims to describe challenges faced by ODPs. The secondary aim is to use empirical evidence to inform the public health sector management about both ODP professional development and improvement in surgical procedures, with a specific focus on pandemics. Methods A qualitative study has been conducted. Data collection was based on an interview guide with open-ended questions. Interviews with 39 ODPs in public sector teaching hospitals of Pakistan who have been working during the COVID-19 pandemic were part of the analysis. Content analysis was used to generate themes. Results Ten themes related to challenges faced by ODPs in delivering services during the pandemic for securing patient safety were identified: (i) Disparity in training for prevention of COVID-19; (ii) Shortcomings in COVID-19 testing; (iii) Supply shortages of personal protective equipment; (iv) Challenges in maintaining physical distance and prevention protocols; (v) Human resource shortages and role burden; (vi) Problems with hospital administration; (vii) Exclusion and hierarchy; (viii) Teamwork limitations and other communication issues; (ix) Error Management; and (x) Anxiety and fear. Conclusions The public health sector, in Pakistan and other developing regions, need to invest in the professional development of ODPs and improve resources and structures for surgical procedures, during pandemics and otherwise.

Download Full-text