Barriers to Accessing Oncology Services for Effective Cancer Care in the Public Health Institutions in Limpopo Province, South Africa: A Qualitative Study
It is estimated that by 2030, 24 million people worldwide will develop cancer, and 13 million will die annually, with 75% of deaths in low- and middle-income countries. The management and effective control of care have not been fully achieved due to a lack of material and human resources exacerbated...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Nursing Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/13/3/84 |
| _version_ | 1797578390441558016 |
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| author | Neo Jacqueline Ramutumbu Dorah Ursula Ramathuba Maria Sonto Maputle |
| author_facet | Neo Jacqueline Ramutumbu Dorah Ursula Ramathuba Maria Sonto Maputle |
| author_sort | Neo Jacqueline Ramutumbu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | It is estimated that by 2030, 24 million people worldwide will develop cancer, and 13 million will die annually, with 75% of deaths in low- and middle-income countries. The management and effective control of care have not been fully achieved due to a lack of material and human resources exacerbated by poor governance and co-ordination of the services. The study aimed to explore barriers to accessing oncology services for effective cancer care in the public health institutions in Limpopo province. The study was conducted in the five district hospitals in Limpopo province. A qualitative exploratory descriptive and contextual approach was used to collect data that employed focus group discussions amongst healthcare professionals in different disciplines. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to sample participants from various sections contributing to oncology care. Five focus group discussions were conducted at the selected hospitals. The data were analysed using the eight steps of Tesch’s method. The findings revealed that Limpopo province has a shortage of high-technology medical equipment, poor coordination, and a lack of oncological and allied expertise. Governments should ensure that patients receive the care required as stated in the constitution to navigate cancer care pathways to improve patient health outcomes, particularly in rural areas where care is fragmented and poorly financed. Recommendations to support oncology patients involve psychosocial work and palliative care of the multidisciplinary teams to be put forward. The identified barriers regarding oncology care may contribute to changing the departments’ outlook and effective functioning by including interdisciplinary oncology teams at all levels of care. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:21:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5f6a30f5f1744c038601269387197cf9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2039-439X 2039-4403 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:21:16Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nursing Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-5f6a30f5f1744c038601269387197cf92023-11-19T12:16:15ZengMDPI AGNursing Reports2039-439X2039-44032023-07-0113395696810.3390/nursrep13030084Barriers to Accessing Oncology Services for Effective Cancer Care in the Public Health Institutions in Limpopo Province, South Africa: A Qualitative StudyNeo Jacqueline Ramutumbu0Dorah Ursula Ramathuba1Maria Sonto Maputle2Department of Advanced Nursing Science, Faulty of Health Sciences, Main Campus, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South AfricaDepartment of Advanced Nursing Science, Faulty of Health Sciences, Main Campus, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South AfricaDepartment of Advanced Nursing Science, Faulty of Health Sciences, Main Campus, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South AfricaIt is estimated that by 2030, 24 million people worldwide will develop cancer, and 13 million will die annually, with 75% of deaths in low- and middle-income countries. The management and effective control of care have not been fully achieved due to a lack of material and human resources exacerbated by poor governance and co-ordination of the services. The study aimed to explore barriers to accessing oncology services for effective cancer care in the public health institutions in Limpopo province. The study was conducted in the five district hospitals in Limpopo province. A qualitative exploratory descriptive and contextual approach was used to collect data that employed focus group discussions amongst healthcare professionals in different disciplines. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to sample participants from various sections contributing to oncology care. Five focus group discussions were conducted at the selected hospitals. The data were analysed using the eight steps of Tesch’s method. The findings revealed that Limpopo province has a shortage of high-technology medical equipment, poor coordination, and a lack of oncological and allied expertise. Governments should ensure that patients receive the care required as stated in the constitution to navigate cancer care pathways to improve patient health outcomes, particularly in rural areas where care is fragmented and poorly financed. Recommendations to support oncology patients involve psychosocial work and palliative care of the multidisciplinary teams to be put forward. The identified barriers regarding oncology care may contribute to changing the departments’ outlook and effective functioning by including interdisciplinary oncology teams at all levels of care.https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/13/3/84barrierscancer careco-ordinationmedical devicesmortalitysupport services |
| spellingShingle | Neo Jacqueline Ramutumbu Dorah Ursula Ramathuba Maria Sonto Maputle Barriers to Accessing Oncology Services for Effective Cancer Care in the Public Health Institutions in Limpopo Province, South Africa: A Qualitative Study Nursing Reports barriers cancer care co-ordination medical devices mortality support services |
| title | Barriers to Accessing Oncology Services for Effective Cancer Care in the Public Health Institutions in Limpopo Province, South Africa: A Qualitative Study |
| title_full | Barriers to Accessing Oncology Services for Effective Cancer Care in the Public Health Institutions in Limpopo Province, South Africa: A Qualitative Study |
| title_fullStr | Barriers to Accessing Oncology Services for Effective Cancer Care in the Public Health Institutions in Limpopo Province, South Africa: A Qualitative Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Barriers to Accessing Oncology Services for Effective Cancer Care in the Public Health Institutions in Limpopo Province, South Africa: A Qualitative Study |
| title_short | Barriers to Accessing Oncology Services for Effective Cancer Care in the Public Health Institutions in Limpopo Province, South Africa: A Qualitative Study |
| title_sort | barriers to accessing oncology services for effective cancer care in the public health institutions in limpopo province south africa a qualitative study |
| topic | barriers cancer care co-ordination medical devices mortality support services |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/13/3/84 |
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