Masters Degrees (Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies) by Author "Chishimba, Rodgers"

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    Exploring experiences of graduates of the workers’ compensation fund control board (WCFCB) return to work (RTW) programme in Zambia
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03) Chishimba, Rodgers; Visagie, Surona; Geiger, Martha; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Centre for Rehabilitation Studies.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : Purpose of the study: The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of graduates of the Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB) return to work (RTW) programme in Zambia. Methods: A qualitative research design was used which helped to elicit in-depth data on the subject under study. The study was done in Zambia using a sample of six participants purposefully selected from a population of twenty-one WCFCB beneficiaries who had graduated from the WCFCB RTW programme. Data was collected through semi structured interviews and thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Findings: Four themes were identified i.e. `Loss due to occupational injury`, `Challenges experienced by graduates of the WCFCB RTW programme`, `Hope through the WCFCB RTW programme` and `Satisfaction with the WCFCB RTW programme`. Participants were despondent due to the loss of physical ability, income and career opportunities after the injury. The RTW programme brought hope back through the provision of a new career pathway. Although discrimination on account of disability hindered some graduates from returning to work, personal factors and external support helped participants to successfully RTW. The RTW scholarship provisions were sufficient and presented opportunities for income replacement, realisation of career dreams and professional growth. A need for improvements in areas of ration, education equipment allowance, career placements, timely processing of scholarship applications and RTW related payments as well as training of WCFCB staff on how to empathise with and provide professional support to injured workers on the RTW programme were identified. Conclusion: Being on the WCFCB RTW programme provided the opportunity for self-improvement, a new career and financial independence for injured workers. Satisfaction with the programme was high and participants called for its continuance. Recommendations for improvement of the programme and further study were made.