The value of internal medicine outreach in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The National Health Insurance, the decentralised clinical training platform, and specialist outreach

“…foreign doctors comprise a large proportion of district hospital staff. [3,4] Given current militant attitudes, would an undergraduate body not feel that they are being engineered into a situation contrary to the tendency towards globalisation?…”

“…the Red Cross Air Mercy Service -if their contract is renewed. [3][4][5] This programme already provides specialists from the major disciplines to district hospitals on a regular monthly basis, encompassing both a teaching and a clinical service. These consultants continue in their accustomed role as specialists in urban communities, and yet provide specialist outreach.…”

“…Specialist outreach serves disadvantaged patients in remote areas. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Infrastructure in KZN includes a competent transport provider, i.e. the Red Cross Air Mercy Service -if their contract is renewed.…”

“…A proven way to accomplish this is through multifaceted specialist outreach, as shown in numerous international studies, particularly those from Australia, Canada, and SA. [1][2][3][4][5][6] The 1971 inverse care law stated: ' Availability of medical care is inversely related to the needs of the population. ' [7] When the 1942 -1944 SA National Health Services Commission convened, Gluckman summarised: 'Where the need is greatest the supply of hospitals is least, ' referring to impoverished remote rural areas.…”

Enabling factors for specialist outreach in western KwaZulu-Natal

“…Such outreach has been termed multifaceted specialist outreach (MSO) and has been employed internationally and in KZN as a means of improving access to specialist services. 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 …”