Implementation of the principles of primary health care in a rural area of South Africa
Date
2014-02
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS Publishing
Abstract
Background: The philosophy of primary healthcare forms the basis of South Africa’s health policy and provides guidance for healthcare service delivery in South Africa. Healthcare service provision in South Africa has shown improvement in the past five years. However, it is uncertain as to whether the changes have reached rural areas and if primary healthcare is
implemented successfully in these areas. Objectives: The aim of this article is to explore the extent to which the principles of primary healthcare are implemented in a remote, rural setting in South Africa.
Method: A descriptive, qualitative design was implemented. Data were collected through
interviews and case studies with 36 purposively-sampled participants, then analysed through
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.
Results: Findings indicated challenges with regard to client-centred care, provision of health promotion and rehabilitation, the way care was organised, the role of the doctor, healthworker attitudes, referral services and the management of complex conditions.
Conclusion: The principles of primary healthcare were not implemented successfully. The community was not involved in healthcare management, nor were users involved in their personal health management. The initiation of a community-health forum is recommended.
Service providers, users and the community should identify and address the determinants of ill health in the community. Other recommendations include the training of service managers in the logistical management of ensuring a constant supply of drugs, using a Kombi-type vehicle to provide user transport for routine visits to secondary- and tertiary healthcare
services and increasing the doctors’ hours.
Description
CITATION: Visagie, S. & Schneider, M. 2014. Implementation of the principles of primary health care in a rural area of South Africa. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, 6(1): 1-10, doi: 10.4102/phcfm.v6i1.562.
The original publication is availabe at http://www.phcfm.org
The original publication is availabe at http://www.phcfm.org
Keywords
Primary health care -- South Africa, Rural health services -- South Africa
Citation
Visagie, S. & Schneider, M. 2014. Implementation of the principles of primary health care in a rural area of South Africa. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine, 6(1): 1-10, doi: 10.4102/phcfm.v6i1.562