scholarly journals The contribution of South African curricula to prepare health professionals for rural or under-served areas in South Africa: A peer review evaluation

2011 ◽  
Vol 101 (1) ◽  
pp. 34 ◽  
Author(s):  
S J Reid ◽  
M Cakwe
2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 404-422
Author(s):  
Siphe Zantsi ◽  
Gabriele Mack ◽  
Stefan Mann

PurposeAfter unsuccessful attempts of South African governments to carry out a land reform that distributes farmland more justly, this study aims to undertake a stronger segmentation of potential beneficiaries for a better targeting of future reforms.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical model has been developed along the axes of cultural innovation and aspirations that identifies the segment of current smallholders who would most likely relocate to become commercial farmers in the future. A survey among smallholders in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa confirms the approach.FindingsA number of indicators can be identified, particularly for cultural innovation, that predict willingness to relocate to a region where commercial farms can be managed.Originality/valueThe importance of cultural innovation has been neglected both in theoretical frameworks and in practical concepts of land reform.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-05-2018-0226


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera-Genevey Hlayisi

Abstract Background: In the last decade, there has been an increase in the number of unemployed health professionals in South Africa. Since the economic downfall following the international financial crisis in 2008, unemployment rates in South Africa have since been increasing and have to date reached 29.1%, the highest in the last 11 years. The current study sought to identify the challenges in obtaining and maintaining employment for audiologists in South Africa. Methods: A descriptive online survey design was used. Participants were recruited online through professional association webpages using the snowball sampling technique. All qualified audiologists registered with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa were eligible to participate. Results: A total of 219 audiologists responded to the survey however only 132 complete responses were collected. Only the results from the 132 completed questionnaires were included in the analysis. Majority of the participants (89%) were female, between the ages 25 to 34 (67%). In the first-year post-graduation, 16% of the participants were unemployed and this increased to 19% in the second-year post-graduation. In the majority (81%) of employed participants, it is worth noting that up to a fifth (19%) were working within non-audiology fields. Employment characteristics of those working in audiology fields (n=107) show that most participants were working within the public health sector (47%) and based in clinical settings (52%). The most common workplace challenges reported were remuneration (37%) followed by lack of resources (18%), workload (18%), work environment (10%), working hours (9%) and lastly, interprofessional relationships (8%). Conclusion: In South Africa, u p to 16% of audiologists are unemployed in their first-year post-graduation and this increases to 19% in the second-year post-graduation. This study’s findings are the first to document the unemployment rate of newly graduated hearing healthcare professionals in South Africa. These findings have potential to influence critical discourse on hearing healthcare human resource policies and planning, hearing healthcare labour market needs and capacity as well as hearing healthcare context and potential for growth in the South African context. Keywords: unemployment, human-resources, healthcare, audiology, economy


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4(J)) ◽  
pp. 62-72
Author(s):  
Victor H. Mlambo ◽  
Toyin Cotties Adetiba

While there has been a plethora of studies that addresses migration in Africa, many have yet to successfully unpack the effects of brain drain on the South African health sector. Using textual analysis of the available literature relevant to the topic under consideration; this work seeks to identify the major structural and socio-economic push factors that drive the migration of health professionals in South Africa, relying on Revestain’s laws of migration and Lee’s push/pull theory of migration. The study also looks at explaining other factors that contribute to the migration of health professionals in South Africa. We argue that for South Africa to retain health professionals, the government needs to increase the training of health workers, improve their working conditions and security, upgrade infrastructure and ensure availability of resources as well as develop a more open immigration policy prioritizing skilled immigration.


2021 ◽  

The peer review report entitled Report on Grouped Peer Review of Scholarly Journals in History, Philosophy and Politics is the eleventh in a series of discipline-grouped evaluations of South African scholarly journals. This is part of a scholarly assurance process initiated by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). The process is centered on multi-perspective, discipline-based evaluation panels appointed by the Academy Council on the recommendation of the Academy’s Committee on Scholarly Publishing in South Africa (CSPiSA). This detailed report presents the peer review panel’s consolidated consensus reports on each journal and provides the panel’s recommendations in respect of DHET accreditation, inclusion on the SciELO SA platform and suggestions for improvement in general. The main purpose of the ASSAf review process for journals is to improve the scholarly publication in the country that is consonant with traditional scholarly practices.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor H. Mlambo ◽  
Toyin Cotties Adetiba

While there has been a plethora of studies that addresses migration in Africa, many have yet to successfully unpack the effects of brain drain on the South African health sector. Using textual analysis of the available literature relevant to the topic under consideration; this work seeks to identify the major structural and socio-economic push factors that drive the migration of health professionals in South Africa, relying on Revestain’s laws of migration and Lee’s push/pull theory of migration. The study also looks at explaining other factors that contribute to the migration of health professionals in South Africa. We argue that for South Africa to retain health professionals, the government needs to increase the training of health workers, improve their working conditions and security, upgrade infrastructure and ensure availability of resources as well as develop a more open immigration policy prioritizing skilled immigration.


2016 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 228-237
Author(s):  
Wilma Ten Ham ◽  
Karin C.S. Minnie ◽  
Christa S.J.C. Van der Walt

Background: Using best evidence to inform practice is the cornerstone of quality patient care, and requires spread, uptake, implementation and roll-out of best practices. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) was used as a best practice which has been partly rolled-out in South Africa. In order for successful roll-out of best practices, it is important to understand what health professionals perceive as requirements for the rolling-out process. However, no published research was found on requirements for rolling-out a best practice in the South African context.Purpose of the research: To explore and describe the perspectives of health professionals on the requirements for the rolling-out process of KMC as a best practice in South Africa.Methodology: Twelve semi-structured individual interviews were conducted in 2012 with health professionals from various South African healthcare levels, involved in the implementation and the rolling-out process of kangaroo mother care. Content analysis were guided in terms of the four requirements for roll-out of best practices, identified in Edwards and Grinspun's Evidence Informed Model of Care.Results: The requirements for the successful rollout of best practices mentioned by the participants in this study concur with the requirements of Edwards and Grinspun: personal alignment and protocol/policy alignment with the best practice; a roll-out plan; leadership; and supporting and reinforcing structures such as: resources, communicating, education and development regarding the best practice, and the organisational structure. The requirements were identified at four different levels: individual level (e.g. the nurse and medical specialists), management level (of the hospital), provincial level and national level.


Author(s):  
Karin Joubert ◽  
Ben Sebothoma ◽  
Khomotjo S. Kgare

Background: The burden of hearing loss is on the increase, especially in low-income countries such as South Africa. The need for urgent action to prevent ear and hearing problems is a priority, especially as in many cases permanent hearing loss is preventable. In South Africa, as in other developing countries, there is a limited number of hearing health professionals and audiological resources. The lack of hearing health services may impact the general public’s awareness of hearing and hearing health. Limited information is available on the South African public’s knowledge of audiologists and the services they provide, especially in underserved rural communities.Aim: The aim of this study was to describe individuals’ awareness of the audiology profession, hearing and hearing loss, and hearing health in a rural area of the Limpopo Province.Method: A cross-sectional survey design was employed for the purpose of this study. Using a random sampling strategy, 297 households in four rural villages were selected and a selfdeveloped questionnaire was administered to one individual (18 years and older) per household. The questionnaire consisted of 23 questions targeting awareness of the audiology profession, as well as knowledge of hearing, hearing loss and hearing health.Results: Only 14% of participants were aware of the audiology profession, indicating that individuals living in rural communities are not aware of the role of audiologists and the services they provide. Doctors and nurses were identified by participants as the individuals who assist them with hearing-related problems. Although most participants (87%) acknowledged that it is very important to undergo a hearing test, only 5% have previously visited an audiologist. Most participants were aware that ear infections and excessive noise exposure can cause hearing loss. The majority also believed that ears must be kept clean at all times and used cotton buds to maintain ear hygiene.Conclusion: There is a general lack of public awareness of audiologists and the services they offer. This study highlighted the need for the National Department of Health in collaboration with professional associations and hearing health professionals to develop and implement effective strategies to increase the South African public’s awareness of the profession and the services they provide. South African universities can also play a significant role in teaching students to develop context-relevant strategies to increase awareness of the profession.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sikhumbuzo A. Mabunda ◽  
Andrea Durbach ◽  
Wezile W. Chitha ◽  
Blake Angell ◽  
Rohina Joshi

Abstract Background: Return-of-service schemes or bursaries are used in South Africa and other nations to publicly fund the training of skilled health professionals in return for the beneficiary agreeing to return to serve in their local provinces on a year-for-year basis. This study aimed to understand how these policies operate across different provinces in South Africa to examine whether they achieved their objectives and identify strengths and areas for improvement in the schemes to inform policymakers in South Africa and internationally. Methods: This research draws on the insights of 15 key South African policymakers from eight of its nine provinces through semi-structured, qualitative interviews. The respondents were interviewed through Microsoft Teams virtual platform, either in pairs (4) or as individuals (7). Data were analysed using inductive, thematic content analysis in NVIVO. Results: Respondents reported that the schemes had resulted in an increase in the number of skilled health professionals and had provided opportunities for study and employment for previously marginalised groups. Formal evaluations of the impact of the schemes were not reported, however, a number of shortcomings with current schemes were identified that were likely limiting their effectiveness. Respondents reported a lack of foresight in the scheme implementation including a bias in the selection of beneficiaries towards medical professionals at the expense of other health workers. Furthermore, failure to plan for practice location when beneficiaries finished training limited the capacity of the schemes to meet the needs of local populations. Monitoring of recipients was limited by loopholes in contract design, decision-making and, poor coordination between departments. Between 5 and 30% of beneficiaries were reported to default their contracts with some not completing their studies, some not returning after completing their internship and others terminating their services before concluding their contracts. Conclusions: Return-of-service schemes have helped in overcoming health professional shortages. However, they haven’t been formally evaluated. Several planning and implementation shortcomings were identified which can be improved to enhance access to healthcare in South Africa.


2004 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 801-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
KE Charlton ◽  
P Brewitt ◽  
LT Bourne

AbstractObjectives:(1) To identify the major sources of nutrition information, and the perceived credibility thereof, among urban black South African women; and (2) to determine the level of knowledge regarding nutrition, particularly regarding the topic of obesity.Design:A cross–sectional descriptive study that was both qualitative (focus groups) and quantitative (individual questionnaires). Three hundred and ninety–four black women aged 17–49 years were conveniently sampled from the Western Cape and Gauteng provinces in South Africa.Methods:Four focus groups were held with 39 women to identify common themes relating to nutrition knowledge. Based on these data, a questionnaire instrument was developed and administered to 394 women by trained fieldworkers.Results:The most frequently encountered source of nutrition information was the media, particularly the radio and TV (73.4% and 72.1% of subjects, respectively, obtained information from this source in the past year), followed by family/friends (64.6%). Despite only 48.5% of subjects having received nutrition information from a health professional, this was the most highly credible information source. Factors being most influential in choice of foods were taste, preferences of the rest of the family, and price. A lack of knowledge on certain aspects of nutrition was identified, as well as misconceptions regarding diet and obesity.Conclusion:To improve nutrition knowledge and the effectiveness of nutrition education activities in South Africa, it is recommended that health and nutrition educators become more actively involved with the training of health professionals, particularly those engaged in delivery of services at primary care level, and in turn encourage health professionals to engage more with media sources. Nutrition messages delivered from health professionals via the media will enable public exposure to nutrition information which is not only easily accessible but also perceived to be highly credible.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Afolayan ◽  
Roumen Anguelov ◽  
Don Cowan ◽  
Maryke Labuschagne ◽  
Natasha Sacks ◽  
...  

The peer review report entitled Report on Grouped Peer Review of Scholarly Journals in Mathematics and Science is the 12th in a series of discipline-grouped evaluations of South African scholarly journals. This is part of a scholarly assurance process initiated by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). The process is centered on multi-perspective, discipline-based evaluation panels appointed by the Academy Council on the recommendation of the Academy’s Committee on Scholarly Publishing in South Africa (CSPiSA). This detailed report presents the peer review panel’s consolidated consensus reports on each journal and provides the panel’s recommendations in respect of DHET accreditation, inclusion on the SciELO SA platform and suggestions for improvement in general. The main purpose of the ASSAf review process for journals is to improve the scholarly publication in the country that is consonant with traditional scholarly practices.


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