scholarly journals Attracting, equipping and retaining young medical doctors in HIV vaccine science in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danna Flood ◽  
Melissa Wallace ◽  
Kimberly Bloch ◽  
James Kublin ◽  
Linda-Gail Bekker
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Research Training ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Hiv Vaccine ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Vaccine Research ◽  
Human Resource Capacity ◽  
Training Programmes

Background: HIV remains a significant health problem in South Africa (SA). The development of a preventive vaccine offers promise as a means of addressing the epidemic, yet development of the human resource capacity to facilitate such research in SA is not being sustained. The HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) has responded by establishing South African/HVTN AIDS Early Stage Investigator Programme (SHAPe), a programme to identify, train and retain clinician scientists in HIV vaccine research in SA.Objectives: The present study sought to identify factors influencing the attraction and retention of South African medical doctors in HIV vaccine research; to understand the support needed to ensure their success; and to inform further development of clinician research programmes, including SHAPe.Methods: Individual interviews and focus groups were held and audio-recorded with 18 senior and junior research investigators, and medical doctors not involved in research. Recordings were transcribed, and data were coded and analysed.Results: Findings highlighted the need for: (1) medical training programmes to include a greater focus on fostering interest and developing research skills, (2) a more clearly defined career pathway for individuals interested in clinical research, (3) an increase in programmes that coordinate and fund research, training and mentorship opportunities and (4) access to academic resources such as courses and libraries. Unstable funding sources and inadequate local funding support were identified as barriers to promoting HIV research careers.Conclusion: Expanding programmes that provide young investigators with funded research opportunities, mentoring, targeted training and professional development may help to build and sustain SA’s next generation of HIV vaccine and prevention scientists.

Willingness to participate in HIV vaccine research in a peri-urban South African community

2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 176-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Smit ◽  
K Middelkoop ◽  
L Myer ◽  
S Seedat ◽  
L-G Bekker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Hiv Vaccine ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Vaccine Research ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Hiv Vaccine Trials ◽  
Vaccine Trials ◽  
Urban South ◽  
African Community

Research on willingness to participate in HIV vaccine trials is important in preparations for HIV vaccine research, but there are few data from sub-Saharan Africa. We interviewed 198 individuals in a peri-urban South African community immediately after enrolment into an HIV vaccine preparedness study on their willingness to participate in hypothetical vaccine trials. Overall 23% of participants ( n = 46) said that they would be willing to participate in an HIV vaccine trial. Willingness was associated with increasing age, male gender, and increasing knowledge about vaccines generally and HIV vaccines specifically. In multivariate analysis, a 1-unit increase in HIV vaccine knowledge score was associated with a 10-fold increase in willingness to participate (adjusted odds ratio, 10.72, 95% confidence intervals: 4.40–26.12). These results suggest that while willingness to participate in HIV vaccine trials is relatively low in this setting, educational campaigns may have a substantial impact on individuals' willingness to participate in research.

scholarly journals The image of training and development consultancy in South Africa

1985 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 161-170
Author(s):  
F. E. Botha ◽  
J. H. Owens
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Training And Development ◽  
Correct Identification ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Skill Levels ◽  
Grid Technique ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
High Level

The objective of this research was to establish the current image of training and development consultancy in South Africa in relation to the ideal as perceived by their clients. In view of the critical shortage of high-level manpower it was considered important to establish whether this service sector is effectively assisting organizations in developing their management to the required skill levels. Based on a survey of the literature on previous image studies, the research methodology combined the measurement of image by using a structured questionnaire with unstructured, subjective comment to arrive at a conclusion. The Repertory Grid technique was used to generate constructs for the semantic differential scale used in the questionnaire. This questionnaire was administered to training/personnel officials of a sample of manufacturing companies in the PWV area The responses to the questionnaire were analysed by means of basic descriptive statistics, factor analysis and t tests. Certain image dimensions were highlighted, and the results showed that numerous discrepancies existed between the image of training and development consultants and the perceived ideal. It was concluded that in order to effectively assist in alleviating the shortage of high-level manpower, training and development consultants should strive towards improving their analysis of problems, the correct identification of training needs and the customization of the training programmes to match specific South African corporate and cultural needs.

Towards the development of a forensic psychology training curriculum in South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 536-549
Author(s):  
Anthony L Pillay ◽  
W Neil Gowensmith ◽  
Jahsana M Banks
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Forensic Psychology ◽  
The United States ◽  
Psychology Training ◽  
Training Models ◽  
Online Study ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
African Context ◽  
Training Programmes

With the growing need for forensic mental health services and the call for increasing rigour in clinical practice, the development of specialised training programmes appears to be increasing globally. In South Africa, the licencing authority has also been focusing on this issue, and its task group has been investigating specialty training models in regard to future developments in licensure, training, qualifications, and related registration matters. The present investigation was undertaken as a way of informing this process, especially in the area of curriculum content and development. The authors undertook a survey of existing accredited forensic psychology training programmes in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. The aim was to examine the qualification level, period of study, admission criteria, online study option, field placement, and the module content. The results are presented for the 62 programmes surveyed and discussed with reference to the South African context and local needs.

scholarly journals Updated programmatic learning outcomes for the training of family physicians in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Mash ◽  
Hannes Steinberg ◽  
Mergan Naidoo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health System ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
South African ◽  
Postgraduate Training ◽  
Family Physicians ◽  
National Education ◽  
Medical Specialists ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
And Training

The training of medical specialists should constantly be re-aligned to the needs of the population and the health system. The national Education and Training Committee of the South African Academy of Family Physicians reached consensus on the updated programmatic learning outcomes for the training of specialist family physicians in South Africa. Learning outcomes were first developed to guide training programmes when the speciality was recognised in 2007. Fifteen years later, it was time to revisit and revise these learning outcomes. Learning outcomes define what family physicians are able to do at the end of 4 years of postgraduate training. This revision presents five unit standards and 83 programmatic exit-level learning outcomes.

scholarly journals Ototoxicity: A review of South African studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Selvarani Moodley ◽  
Claudine Storbeck ◽  
Nomthandazo Gama
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
South African ◽  
Curriculum Planning ◽  
African Studies ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Human Immuno Deficiency Virus ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
Monitoring Protocols ◽  
Audiology Training

Background: Ototoxicity is damage to cells in the inner ear after administering a toxic drug, with a resultant hearing loss. Drugs used to treat illnesses such as cancer, tuberculosis, human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) and infections are potentially ototoxic. South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV and tuberculosis, and thus a potentially greater degree of the population is being affected by hearing loss from the medications used to treat these illnesses.Methods: To determine the current status of research in ototoxicity, a systematic literature review was carried out to determine the focus areas of South African studies for the period 1989–2019. From the database search engines used (Science Direct, Ebscohost and Proquest), a total of 33 relevant articles were identified, including the themes of pharmacology, audiology and knowledge.Results: Studies were conducted in the three most resourced provinces in South Africa. Findings indicate that there is a need for educating doctors regarding ototoxicity and a delineation of the role of the audiologist in monitoring and management of ototoxic hearing loss. There is a resultant need for audiology training on the pharmacology of ototoxic medication, otoprotective strategies and adherence to recommended guidelines. This has implications for university audiology training programmes and curriculum planning. The need for development of South Africa-specific audiology guidelines was highlighted.Conclusion: Whilst it is noted that there is a lack of resources for effective implementation of ototoxicity-monitoring protocols, it is also noted that there are measures and otoprotective strategies that can be put in place without additional resources.

scholarly journals Perceptions of chiropractors in the eThekwini Municipality on the integration of chiropractic into the public healthcare sector of South Africa

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Natalie Davies
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Chiropractic Profession ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Healthcare Sector

Background Currently, chiropractic is not incorporated into the South African public healthcare sector despite its emphasis on the values of wellness and health. This is due to a poor relationship with mainstream medical practitioners, the construct of chiropractic education and its long standing isolation within the healthcare system within South Africa. The public healthcare sector in South Africa is strained. Low back pain is one of the main reasons patients seek medical attention from primary medical doctors. A growing body of evidence is now emerging which supports the role of chiropractic in post-­surgical rehabilitation and the treatment of extraspinal non-­pathological musculoskeletal conditions. Based on the findings of these studies, an argument could be made for the transition of chiropractic from a mainly private practice base to one that would enable it to reach to the wider population in the public healthcare sector. Aim The aim of the research study was to explore and describe the perceptions that chiropractors have about the integration of the chiropractic profession into the South African public healthcare sector. Method A descriptive exploratory qualitative approach was used to guide the study. In-­ depth interviews were conducted with ten chiropractors within the eThekwini municipality. The main research question for this study was “What are the perceptions of chiropractors in the eThekwini Municipality on the integration of chiropractic into the public healthcare sector of South Africa?” The data was analysed through thematic analysis. Results The main themes that emerged were the role of chiropractic in the healthcare system, the integration of chiropractic into the healthcare sector and the challenges facing chiropractors in the healthcare system. The themes and sub-­ themes were as follows;; • Theme 1 Role of chiropractic in the healthcare system Sub-­theme 1.1 Primary contact for neuromuscular medicine. • Theme 2 Integration of chiropractors into the public healthcare sector Sub-­theme 2.1 Relief of overworked healthcare workers. Sub-­theme 2.2 Decrease costs in surgical and medication use. Sub-­theme 2.3 Increased learning opportunities. Sub-­theme 2.4 Use of chiropractic in post-­surgical care. Sub-­theme 2.5 Need for pre-­surgical assessment. Sub-­theme 2.6 Integration facilitated by the Chiropractic Association of South Africa (CASA). • Theme 3 Challenges facing chiropractors in the public healthcare sector Sub-­theme 3.1 Opposition from medical doctors. Sub-­theme 3.2 Opposition from within the chiropractic profession. Sub-­theme 3.3 Inability to function as the primary practitioners. Sub-­theme 3.4 Unfamiliar structure of the public health care sector. Conclusion A lack of clarity on the identity and role of chiropractic in the public healthcare sector emerged from the findings of this study. Individual chiropractors, the professional body (CASA) and the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) need to engage in active roles in the integration of chiropractic into the public healthcare sector of South Africa.

scholarly journals Concussion return-to-play behaviour of South African Rugby Union (SA Rugby) Youth Week players: a pilot study

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Brown
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
South African ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Doctor Who ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Medical Clearance ◽  
Do So

Introduction: BokSmart has disseminated Graduated Return-to-Play (GRTP) guidelines for concussions management to all, but specifically coaches, in South Africa. Medical clearance before returning to play (RTP) is poorly adhered to in the GRTP steps. This study explored barriers to compliance with medical clearance prior to RTP.Methods: Players who suffered a concussion during the 2014/2015 South African Rugby Youth Week Tournaments were followed-up telephonically until RTP. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore enablers/barriers to seeking/not seeking medical clearance before RTP.Results: Of those who did not seek medical clearance (47%), 80% indicated that the player/parent or coach felt this was unnecessary. Of those who did seek medical clearance, 65% reported they were instructed to do so either by the tournament doctor who diagnosed the injury or by the school coach.Conclusion: Besides coaches, parents and medical doctors have an important influence on players’ RTP behaviour. The findings of this pilot study need to be repeated in a larger cohort.

Sexual risk factors associated with volunteering for HIV vaccine research in South Africa

AIDS Care ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 569-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Smit ◽  
K. Middelkoop ◽  
L. Myer ◽  
S. Seedat ◽  
R. Wood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Hiv Vaccine ◽  
Vaccine Research ◽  
Factors Associated
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