The contribution of family physicians to district health services in South Africa: A national position paper by the South African Academy of Family Physicians

Physicians, South African Academy Of Family

doi:10.4102/safp.v64i1.5473

Cited by 19 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…These roles were conceptualised previously, 26 but are clearly illustrated and confirmed in these reports from diverse contexts.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

The contribution of family physicians to African health systems

Mash

2022

Afr. j. prim. health care fam. med.

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Background: Africa is the last region to incorporate family physicians into its health systems. They are still a relatively new concept in many countries, small in numbers and deployed in a variety of ways. There is a need for more evidence on their contribution to African health systems to guide policymakers.Aim: The aim of this study was to review the special collection of short reports on the contribution of family physicians to African health systems, published in the African Primary Health Care and Family Medicine Journal in 2021.Method: Seventeen short reports from eight countries were qualitatively and thematically analysed in ATLAS.ti. Codes, which were derived inductively, were organised into categories according to the World Health Organization’s primary health care monitoring framework.Results: In the domain of health system determinants, family physicians made little contribution to governance, adjustment to population health needs or financing. They did, however, contribute substantially to the capacity of the health workforce, supply of equipment, functioning of the health information system and use of digital technologies. In the domain of service delivery, they strengthened the model of care and championed systems for improving the quality of care. This translated into improved availability and utilisation of services, core functions of primary care, quality of care and patient safety.Conclusion: Family physicians described their important contribution to service delivery in district hospitals and primary health care. This should lead to improvements in outcomes and impact for the health system. Their contribution to the concept of resilient facilities and health services needs further exploration.

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“…These roles were conceptualised previously, 26 but are clearly illustrated and confirmed in these reports from diverse contexts.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

The contribution of family physicians to African health systems

Mash

2022

Afr. j. prim. health care fam. med.

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“…In addition, the SAAFP has motivated to the National and Provincial Departments of Health for FP posts to be created at DHs or CHCs. 22 Theme 2: The role of family physicians in the healthcare system and National Health Insurance…”

Section: Discussion Theme 1: Perception Of Family Medicine As a Medic...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions of specialists in the public sector, on the role and value of family medicine

Mukhinindi

Ross

2022

South African Family Practice

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Methods:This was a qualitative study, with seven consultants, other than FPs, who worked at three public sector regional hospitals using purposive sampling. Individual semistructured interviews were conducted, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.Results: Four themes emerged (perception of FM as a medical speciality, role of FPs in the healthcare system and proposed National Health Insurance, FM registrars rotating in units and the scope of their training and how to improve the perceptions of FM by other specialities). Family medicine was regarded as a major and relevant specialist field with a significant contribution to make in advancing patients' care. The country's healthcare system is yet to make the best use of the FM specialist's role in improving quality of care. Conclusion:The perceptions of FM from other specialists were generally positive and reinforced its importance in facilitating improved healthcare in SA. These specialists have high regard for FM and emphasised the large responsibility of practitioners.

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“…At the time of writing this editorial, the new national position paper on the contribution of family physicians to the South African health system was just published. 1 I encourage you to read it.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Our medium-term goal is for a family physician in each district hospital and community health centre or sub-district, throughout the country, in addition to those appointed to district clinical specialist teams. 1 The numbers needed to achieve this and to increase the required number of posts for both registrars and family physicians have been analysed. There will be a meeting with the national council of the SAAFP to strategise how we can best disseminate the position paper and its key messages to our stakeholders.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…The position paper also speaks to the issues in the private sector and the need to properly recognise the family physician’s scope of practice and to provide appropriate remuneration. 1 The need for recognising the unique features of private general practice is also mentioned, where you may have specialist family physicians and non-specialist general practitioners sharing one practice. We have been engaging with Healthman to take up these issues with the Board of Healthcare Funders and other stakeholders.…”

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confidence: 99%

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