Decentralised clinical training in optometry: a developmental strategy for eye health in KwaZulu Natal?

Staden, Diane van

doi:10.1017/s1463423618000397

Cited by 12 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…This, therefore, underscores the argument around 'fit-for-purpose' graduates, which has led to DCT models in South Africa. 8 The fact that most practitioners expressed confidence in their ability to supervise undergraduate students within a DCT model is encouraging and holds promise for the expansion of this model both in KZN and elsewhere in the country, particularly with an incremental increase in student intakes and inadequate staffing and/or infrastructure capacity at universities. 21 The capacity of public health institutions for DCT in optometry is admittedly limited because of the lack of equipment, which affects the capacity to train optometry students in accordance with standards as defined by the Health Professions Council of South Africa.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…7 Decentralised clinical training (DCT) is an emerging concept in South Africa. 8 Globally, there is a growing realisation that health profession education must address both the needs of an increasingly diverse society and disparities in health care. 9 South Africa's health system is structured to five levels of service; Primary Health Care (PHC) Clinics, District Hospitals, Regional Hospitals, Tertiary Hospitals and Quaternary and/ or Academic hospitals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Public sector optometrists’ perspectives on a decentralised model of clinical training for optometry in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Ebrahim

Karim

Gasa

et al. 2019

African Vision and Eye Health

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This study involves optometrists employed within public health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal. Methods:The research followed a qualitative design. Sampling was purposive, with the sample population including all public sector-employed optometrists within the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health. Questionnaires were used to collect data, which were thematically analysed to gain insight into participants' perspectives relating to the decentralised clinical training (DCT) in optometry.Results: In KwaZulu-Natal, DCT in optometry as a revised clinical training strategy is generally supported by public sector optometrists. It presents opportunities for expanded access to eye care for public sector patients and a mutual learning opportunity between students and practitioners. However, resources required for comprehensive optometric assessments are significantly lacking within the public health sector. Training for public sector optometrists who would be expected to serve as clinical educators was also an identified need. Conclusion:While there are various challenges facing optometry practice within the public health sector in KwaZulu-Natal, decentralised clinical training holds promise for the improved eye care service capacity in KwaZulu-Natal.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Public sector optometrists’ perspectives on a decentralised model of clinical training for optometry in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Ebrahim

Karim

Gasa

et al. 2019

African Vision and Eye Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Decentralisation of training is also referred to as community-based training framed within a primary healthcare model (National Department of Health South Africa 2015 ), or community-based medical education (Kelly, Walters & Rosenthal 2014 ), peripheral learning, bush learning and distributed training (De Villiers et al 2017 ; Mlambo et al 2018 ). A decentralised clinical training platform (DCTP), such as the Stellenbosch University Collaborative Capacity Enhancement through Engagement with Districts (SUCCEED), shifts training from traditional, urban-based healthcare settings, localised around the academic structures, to rural communities (De Villiers et al 2017 ; van Staden 2019 ). The outcomes of DCTPs have shown healthcare system value, such as increased graduate output (Gaede 2018 ), addressing the current urban and rural personnel maldistribution (de Villiers et al 2017 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A road less travelled: Undergraduate midwifery students’ experiences of a decentralised clinical training platform

Baloyi

Mchunu

Williams

et al. 2020

Health SA Gesondheid

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Background: In South Africa, the critical skill base shortage of healthcare workers, the underperforming global health indicators and the planned roll out of the National Health Insurance have burdened South African higher education authorities to rapidly expand nursing student enrolments. The expansion in student numbers has placed increased demands on overstretched educational institutions, and students are confronted with challenges of congestion in classrooms and clinical facilities, while lecturers encounter difficulties in the process of clinical allocation. A solution is to utilise decentralised clinical training platforms (DCTPs) and allocate students in rural hospitals.Aim: To explore and describe undergraduate midwifery students’ reflections of their DCTP experiences, in order to inform future practice of decentralisation in student training.Setting: The study was conducted in the nursing discipline of an urban-based university in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, involving undergraduate midwifery students. The university had commenced a programme of allocating students to decentralised clinical sites.Method: Elo and Kyngäs’ content analysis was used to analyse the experiences of DCTP by undergraduate midwifery students (n = 14) as expressed in a focus group (n = 11) and three individual interviews (n = 3).Results: The following four categories emerged: Recognition as a team member, engaging support, win–win platform and juxtaposed challenges.Conclusion: In the presence of support and teamwork, rural settings can develop undergraduate student midwives, not only in the areas of midwifery competency but also in their personal capacity, and strengthen the responsiveness, preparedness and relevance of midwifery graduates.

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“…Several universities in South Africa have been exploring ways to respond to the health needs of the country by partnering with public health facilities in the education and training of health professionals. However, training gaps have been noted (Van Staden 2019); and in order to address these, investments in HPE that promote excellence in clinical training standards are required; which will potentially have long-term benefits for the health system as a whole and support efforts towards quality care.…”

Section: Investing In Hpementioning

confidence: 99%

Investing in health professions education: A national development imperative for South Africa

Staden

2021

SAJHE

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Background: Human resources for health are an essential component of any health system. South Africa's National Development Plan identifies the need for a strengthened public health system and improvements in the quality of education and service delivery. While efforts to increase the number of trained health personnel are acknowledged, a lack of sustainable investment in improving the quality of health professions education in South Africa may have detrimental consequences for these national ideals. Discussion: South Africa's economic growth has declined in recent years, placing pressure on its fiscal capacity and the ability of academic institutions to fund critical aspects relating to training needs within health professions education programmes. Increased intakes at universities have not been supported by concurrent increases in funding required to support evolving training needs. Reduced financial support for health professions education programs has implications for required resource capacity, and will potentially negatively impact the quality, as well as global competitiveness, of health professions training programmes in South Africa. Funding gaps which impact the quality of training also ultimately affect the quality of health services delivered by the health system in the long term. Conclusion: Political will in support of more sustainable funding mechanisms for ongoing investment into health professions education programs and their evolving training needs is required in order for South Africa to meet its development objectives as outlined in the National Development Plan and its National Health Insurance policy.

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Decentralised clinical training in optometry: a developmental strategy for eye health in KwaZulu Natal?

Cited by 12 publications

References 11 publications

Public sector optometrists’ perspectives on a decentralised model of clinical training for optometry in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Public sector optometrists’ perspectives on a decentralised model of clinical training for optometry in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A road less travelled: Undergraduate midwifery students’ experiences of a decentralised clinical training platform

Investing in health professions education: A national development imperative for South Africa

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