Oncology nursing care standards

Oncology nursing as a specialised nursing discipline has no published nursing care standards for South Africa. The purpose of this study was to formulate oncology nursing standards for a particular research hospital A specific approach was used and the oncology nursing experts in the research hospital compiled and formulated the standards. Group discussions and critical debating of the standards followed. The standards were ratified by means of verbal consensus between the experts and professional nurses in the oncology unit. These standards could serve as a guide to ensure quality oncology nursing care. National validation of the standards is recommended

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A qualitative study to identify critical attributes and attribute-levels for a discrete choice experiment on oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery among young people in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-020-05942-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Janan J. Dietrich ◽

Millicent Atujuna ◽

Gugulethu Tshabalala ◽

Stefanie Hornschuh ◽

Mamakiri Mulaudzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Young People ◽

User Preferences ◽

Dosing Regimen ◽

Group Discussions ◽

On Demand ◽

Study Team ◽

Attribute Levels ◽

Depth Interviews ◽

Oral Prep

Abstract Background The uptake and adherence of daily oral PrEP has been poor in high-risk populations in South Africa including young people. We used qualitative research methods to explore user preferences for daily and on-demand oral PrEP use among young South Africans, and to inform the identification of critical attributes and attribute-levels for quantitative analysis of user preferences, i.e. a discrete choice experiment (DCE). Methods Data were collected between September and November 2018 from eight group discussions and 20 in-depth interviews with young people 13 to 24 years in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Using a convenience sampling strategy, participants were stratified by sex and age. Interviewers used a semi-structured interview guide to discuss several attributes (dosing regimen, location, costs, side effects, and protection period) for PrEP access and use. Group discussions and in-depth interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated to English. We used framework analysis to explore context-specific attributes and attribute-levels for delivering oral PrEP in South Africa. The adolescent community advisory board, expert and study team opinions were consulted for the final DCE attributes and levels. Results We enrolled 74 participants who were 51% (n = 38/74) male, had a median age of 18.5 [Interquartile range = 16–21.25] years, 91% (n = 67/74) identified as heterosexual and 49% (n = 36/74) had not completed 12th grade education. Using the qualitative data, we identified five candidate attributes including (1) dosing regimen, (2) location to get PrEP, (3) cost, (4) route of administration and (5) frequency. After discussions with experts and the study team, we revised the DCE to include the following five attributes and levels: dosing regime: daily, and on-demand PrEP; location: private pharmacy, public clinic, mobile clinic, ATM); cost: free-of-charge, R50 (~2GBP), R265 (~12GBP); side effects: nausea, headache, rash; and duration of protection: fulltime protection versus when PrEP is used). Conclusions There is limited literature on qualitative research methods describing the step-by-step process of developing a DCE for PrEP in adolescents, especially in resource-constrained countries. We provide the process followed for the DCE technique to understand user preferences for daily and on-demand oral PrEP among young people in South Africa.

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Setting the global research agenda for community-based HIV service delivery through the faith sector

Health Research Policy and Systems ◽

10.1186/s12961-021-00718-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Martha T. Ndlovu-Teijema ◽

Maarten O. Kok ◽

Sabine L. van Elsland ◽

Hilleen Smeets ◽

David Barstow ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Focus Group ◽

Research Agenda ◽

Primary Research ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Community Based ◽

Faith Leaders ◽

Global Research

Abstract Background While leading AIDS organizations expect faith and health collaborations to play a crucial role in organizing and scaling up community-based HIV services, it is unclear how this can be realized. Little primary research has been conducted into which strategies for collaboration and service provision are most effective, efficient, scalable and sustainable. Seeking to align research with urgent needs, enhance coordination and increase the likelihood that results are used, this study aimed to set an inclusive global research agenda that reflects priority research questions from key stakeholders at the intersection of HIV healthcare and faith. Methods In order to develop this global research agenda, we drew from document analyses, focus group discussions, interviews with purposively selected key informants from all continents (policy-makers, healthcare providers, faith leaders, academics and HIV activists), an online questionnaire, and expert meetings at several global conferences. We carried out focus group discussions and interviews with faith leaders in South Africa. Other stakeholder focus groups and interviews were carried out online or in person in France, Switzerland, the Netherlands and South Africa, and virtual questionnaires were distributed to stakeholders worldwide. Respondents were purposively sampled. Results We interviewed 53 participants, and 110 stakeholders responded to the online questionnaire. The participants worked in 54 countries, with the majority having research experience (84%), experience with policy processes (73%) and/or experience as a healthcare provider (60%) and identifying as religious (79%). From interviews (N = 53) and questionnaires (N = 110), we identified 10 research themes: addressing sexuality, stigma, supporting specific populations, counselling and disclosure, agenda-setting, mobilizing and organizing funding, evaluating faith-health collaborations, advantage of faith initiatives, gender roles, and education. Respondents emphasized the need for more primary research and prioritized two themes: improving the engagement of faith communities in addressing sexuality and tackling stigma. Conclusions A wide range of respondents participated in developing the research agenda. To align research to the prioritized themes and ensure that results are used, it is essential to further engage key users, funders, researchers and other stakeholders, strengthen the capacity for locally embedded research and research uptake and contextualize priorities to diverse religious traditions, key populations and local circumstances.

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Spiritual care practices in hospices in the Western cape, South Africa: the challenge of diversity

BMC Palliative Care ◽

10.1186/s12904-020-00704-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ronita Mahilall ◽

Leslie Swartz

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Spiritual Care ◽

Resource Constraints ◽

Care Service ◽

Western Cape ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Middle Income ◽

Care Services ◽

African Context ◽

Care Practices

Abstract Background South Africa is a very diverse middle-income country, still deeply divided by the legacy of its colonial and apartheid past. As part of a larger study, this article explored the experiences and views of representatives of hospices in the Western Cape province of South Africa on the provision of appropriate spiritual care, given local issues and constraints. Methods Two sets of focus group discussions, with 23 hospice participants, were conducted with 11 of the 12 Hospice Palliative Care Association registered hospices in the Western Cape, South Africa, to understand what spiritual care practices existed in their hospices against the backdrop of multifaceted diversities. The discussions were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Two prominent themes emerged: the challenges of providing relevant spiritual care services in a religiously, culturally, linguistically and racially diverse setting, and the organisational context impacting such a spiritual care service. Participants agreed that spiritual care is an important service and that it plays a significant role within the inter-disciplinary team. Participants recognised the need for spiritual care training and skills development, alongside the financial costs of employing dedicated spiritual care workers. In spite of the diversities and resource constraints, the approach of individual hospices to providing spiritual care remained robust. Discussion Given the diversities that are largely unique to South Africa, shaped essentially by past injustices, the hospices have to navigate considerable hurdles such as cultural differences, religious diversity, and language barriers to provide spiritual care services, within significant resource constraints. Conclusions While each of the hospices have established spiritual care services to varying degrees, there was an expressed need for training in spiritual care to develop a baseline guide that was bespoke to the complexities of the South African context. Part of this training needs to focus on the complexity of providing culturally appropriate services.

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Perceptions of professional nurses regarding introduction of the Batho Pele principles in State hospitals

Curationis ◽

10.4102/curationis.v38i1.1128 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sindiwe James ◽

Thenjiwe M. Miza

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Data Analysis ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Health Care Delivery System ◽

Group Discussions ◽

State Hospitals ◽

African Health ◽

Outpatient Departments ◽

Field Notes ◽

Professional Nurses

Background: The South African health care delivery system has shifted focus to primary health care since 1994. For this purpose the Batho Pele principles were introduced. Nurses claim, however, that since the introduction of these principles patients and their families have been making unnecessary and sometimes impossible demands of nursing staff. This article presents the perceptions of the professional nurses regarding the introduction of the Batho Pele principles in their workplace.Objectives: To describe the perceptions of professional nurses regarding introduction of the Batho Pele principles and to recommend guidelines to facilitate measures to realise the objects of these principles.Method: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contexual research design was used. Six audio-taped focus group discussions and field notes were used to collect data from purposively sampled participants who have worked in the outpatient departments of hospitals in thePort Elizabeth Hospital Complex. Guba’s model of trustworthiness was used to confirm integrity of the study, whilst the participants were kept anonymous, protected from harm and participated voluntarily. Data analysis was done using Tesch’s data analysis spiral and with the involvement of an independent-coder.Results: Three themes emerged, revealing that the professional nurses perceived the objectives of the Batho Pele principles as difficult to uphold due to the inadequate planning prior to their implementation. Inadequacy of human and material resources aggravated this perception.Conclusion: Professional nurses are not happy with how things are in terms of introduction of the Batho Pele principles, but are optimistic of a positive change in the near future.

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Endogenous conflict resolution mechanisms of the San people at Platfontein

The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa ◽

10.4102/td.v10i4.90 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

Author(s):

M Y Gebregeorgis

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Conflict Resolution ◽

Focus Group ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

The State ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

The Impact ◽

Inductive Thematic Analysis

The objective of this study was to explore the endogenous conflict resolution mechanisms and practices of the San people at Platfontein, South Africa. To this end, data were collected from 304 interviews and 26 focus group discussions. The collected data were analysed through Inductive Thematic Analysis. The findings show that the San people have endogenous conflict resolution mechanisms which basically aim at restoring peace and harmony within the community. The endogenous mechanisms were found to be fairly participatory and supplementary to the state machineries that work for justice, peace and harmony. However, the conflict resolution mechanisms of the San people are currently weakening due to the impact of modernisation and the leadership dispute among the sub-groups of the community.

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The Unexpected Rewards of Qualitative Research in Assessment: A Case Example

The Qualitative Report ◽

10.46743/2160-3715/2008.1599 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Penny Singh

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Qualitative Research ◽

Focus Group ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Tertiary Institutions ◽

Learning Opportunity ◽

Face To Face ◽

Oral Assessment ◽

Oral Component

This paper reports on the inclusion of an oral component of assessment in science at two tertiary institutions in South Africa. The purpose of this paper is not to report on the results of the assessments conducted, but to focus on some of the unexpected rewards of conducting qualitative research in assessment. Using focus group discussions within a qualitative framework allowed me insights into the thoughts and experiences of the students and assessors, making the benefits of oral assessment apparent. These benefits included how assessment can be used as a learning opportunity, the advantages of homogeneous versus heterogeneous groups, and the benefits of face-to-face interaction, all of which led to improved relationships between students and assessors.

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