Caring for an Ageing Population: Are Physiotherapy Graduates Adequately Prepared?

Ramklass, Serela; Butau, Anne; Ntinga, Nomusa; Cele, Nozipho

doi:10.1080/03601277.2010.487745

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 15 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…To maximise the benefit of these services, interdisciplinary interaction between healthcare and non-healthcare professionals would be appropriate in the provision of the services in the centres. Such provision is acknowledged in the guidelines provided by the 2006 act for the training of healthcare providers in the care of older persons in South Africa (Phaswana-Mafuya et al 2013;Ramklass et al 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The poor funding for the centres could have contributed to the paucity of evidence of activities targeting the remaining three determinants (personal, physical environment, economic) although it seemed that the centres provided platforms for assisting the older persons' care in the community, which would contribute to ensuring their independent living, as guaranteed in the South African Older Person's Act of 2006. Whilst the absence of healthcare professionals at the community level in the province has been reported (Ned et al 2017), the availability of CHWs and their contribution to healthcare in the province has been observed (Amosun 2014;Ramklass et al 2010). As physiotherapists are part of the interdisciplinary team whose focus should include the prevention or delay of the onset of functional decline, the curricula for the training of the different care providers (including CHWs) should include an awareness of the need for care and support, specifically in the areas of social activities and relationships, psychological health and activities related to mobility, self-care and domestic life (Abdi et al 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Abdi et al (2019) had recommended that to develop effective services to address the needs of older persons, it was essential first to understand their care and support needs. Regrettably, caring for older persons in the country still focuses more on the sick than the well person (Amosun 2014;Frost et al 2015;Naidoo et al 2019;Phaswana-Mafuya et al 2013;Ramklass et al 2010;Tanyi & Pelser 2019). This deficit-focused approach limits the exploration of the individual strengths of older persons.…”

Section: Acknowledgementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Exploration of service centres for older persons in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa

Pefile

Fodo

Amosun

2022

South African Journal of Physiotherapy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Service centres for older persons were set up in South Africa to implement programmes relating to the six determinants of the World Health Organization's (WHO) active ageing framework. The framework highlights the value of being physically active to prevent functional decline.Objective: Our aim was to explore the characteristics of these centres and their members in the Eastern Cape province.Method: An exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional design was utilised to explore the characteristics of 25 centres and the profiles of their managers and 275 members of these centres. Results:The managers had no formal training. Health and social care system requirements were important in the province, but access to healthcare services was minimal, and managers were concerned about the physical environment. Over 50% of the centres provided meals (72%), social support services (60%), dance and aerobics (56%), blood glucose testing (52%) and guardianship for members without families (52%). The members reported multiple morbidities, including hypertension (59%), diabetes (16%) and arthritis (10.5%). Few members used tobacco (n = 20) and alcohol (n = 27), but most (n = 213) were afraid of falling although they went about their daily activities with minimal difficulties. Members were satisfied with their lives (n = 231). Conclusion:The centres provided platforms to enable the fulfilment of some of the goals of the WHO's active-ageing framework, but a comprehensive exploration of the centres and the members is needed.Clinical implications: Physiotherapy, as part of interdisciplinary intervention, will promote the physical health of the members of the centres.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Acknowledgementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Exploration of service centres for older persons in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa

Pefile

Fodo

Amosun

2022

South African Journal of Physiotherapy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Separate assessment of geriatric components in UG medical curricula has been shown to improve both student knowledge and attitudes in geriatric care. 38 However, the feasibility of this model for the SSA context will have to be explored, especially given the context of overcrowded health care curricula. Introducing a subminimum in the assessment of geriatric topics would at least simulate student learning in those domains of geriatric care that is taught.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparing medical graduates to care for geriatric patients: A case study of the undergraduate medical curriculum at a South African university

Naidoo

Wyk

2020

South African Family Practice

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundHealth care professionals in South Africa are facing a rapidly ageing population with increased demands for age-related health care services. 1 Old age is associated with chronic illnesses and functional impairments that result in an increased burden of disease among older adults. 2 The high prevalence of multi-morbidities and sensory impairments in older adults requires an integrated approach from health care professionals with a focus on function and quality of life. 3 The National Health Insurance Bill, which aims to provide Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to all South African citizens, is dependent on health professionals' ability to deliver comprehensive health services to all at primary care level. 4 It is thus essential that all medical students receive training in the core competencies of geriatric care to ensure the delivery of quality primary care services to elderly patients. 5 The World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted the necessity of including geriatric training in undergraduate (UG) medical curricula almost two decades ago, but medical schools have been slow to implement this recommendation. 6 Geriatric medicine, the field of medicine that deals with ageing and health conditions associated with advancing age, is a relatively new and neglected area in health professions education. 7 A global survey conducted by the WHO in 2002 revealed a lack of attention to geriatrics in UG medical curricula. 5 It was also disconcerting that data from only one sub-Saharan African (SSA) country, namely Ghana, had been included in that study. A 2015 survey of 25 medical schools across 11 countries in Africa reported on inclusion of geriatric topics at UG level in only 60% of the participating institutions. 8 Dedicated teaching time for geriatrics was very limited, consisting Background: Medical schools in South Africa must be responsive to the health needs of the rapidly ageing population. Reports of the poor quality of care received by elderly patients raises concerns about the training of medical students. A review of the curriculum can help to assess current geriatric care training and identify the areas in need of improvement. This study was conducted to describe the nature and scope of undergraduate medical education in geriatric care at a South African university.Methods: An exploratory, descriptive case study was conducted to analyse the learning objectives, opportunities and outcomes of the 6-year undergraduate medical program. Data included an electronic curriculum supported by student and teacher guides. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with health professions educators. Results:The curriculum covered key geriatric competencies that included addressing geriatric syndromes and conducting a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Teaching on geriatric competencies occurred mainly in the clinical years, was integrated and no sub-minima was applied in its assessment. Teaching occurred in disciplinary silos with little involvement of the multidisciplinary team. Learning objectives and assess...

show abstract

“What next now that you are sixty?” – Preliminary exploration of the self-reported aspirations of community-dwelling older persons in the Western Cape Province, South Africa within the active aging framework

Amosun

2018

Physiotherapy Theory and Practice

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Future aspirations of older persons should interest professionals involved in health promotion services in view of World Health Organization's Active Aging Framework. With the South African government's plan to raise life expectancy to 70 years by 2030, there is likelihood that life expectancy at 60 years will increase. Future aspirations give motivations for living, with short and long-term goals to work toward. As part of a larger study exploring the profile of members of 35 Service Centers for Older Persons in the Western Cape Province, selected using stratified random sampling, this manuscript reports on the qualitative responses relating to the self-determined future aspirations of the members. Thematic analysis was utilized to explore the aspirations of 625 members, aged 60-100 years. The aspirations were classified into two, namely aspirations with and without possible future-oriented behavior. Separate six and three themes were identified respectively in the first and second categories of aspirations. Being members of centers meant to provide programs to enhance their future, an awareness of the future aspirations of older persons should inform the services provided to encourage older persons identify something to live for.

show abstract

Caring for an Ageing Population: Are Physiotherapy Graduates Adequately Prepared?

Cited by 4 publications

References 15 publications

Exploration of service centres for older persons in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa

Exploration of service centres for older persons in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa

Preparing medical graduates to care for geriatric patients: A case study of the undergraduate medical curriculum at a South African university

“What next now that you are sixty?” – Preliminary exploration of the self-reported aspirations of community-dwelling older persons in the Western Cape Province, South Africa within the active aging framework

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About