Facility Managers’ Perceptions of Support and Supervision of Ward Based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams in National Health Insurance Pilot Districts in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A Qualitative Study
Introduction: Evidence from many countries suggests that provision of home and community-based health services, linked to care at fixed primary health care facilities, is critical to good health outcomes. In South Africa, the Ward-Based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams are well placed to provide t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-12-01
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| Series: | Healthcare |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/12/1718 |
| _version_ | 1797504173138247680 |
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| author | Euphemia Mbali Mhlongo Elizabeth Lutge |
| author_facet | Euphemia Mbali Mhlongo Elizabeth Lutge |
| author_sort | Euphemia Mbali Mhlongo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Evidence from many countries suggests that provision of home and community-based health services, linked to care at fixed primary health care facilities, is critical to good health outcomes. In South Africa, the Ward-Based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams are well placed to provide these services. The teams report to a primary health care facility through their outreach team leader. The facility manager/operational manager provides guidance and support to the outreach team leader. Aim: The aim of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of facility managers regarding support and supervision of ward-based outreach teams in the National Health Insurance pilot sites in Kwa Zulu-Natal. Setting: The study was carried out in three National Health Insurance pilot districts in KwaZulu- Natal. Methods: An exploratory qualitative design was used to interview 12 primary health care facility managers at a sub-district (municipal) level. The researchers conducted thematic analysis of data. Findings: Some gaps in the supervisory and managerial relationships between ward based primary health care outreach teams and primary health care facility managers were identified. High workload at clinics may undermine the capacity of PHC facility managers to support and supervise the teams. Field supervision seems to take place only rarely and for those teams living far away from the clinic, communication with the clinic manager may be difficult. The study further highlights issues around the training and preparation of the teams. Conclusions: Ward based primary health care outreach teams have a positive impact in preventive and promotive health in rural communities. Furthermore, these teams have also made impact in improving facility indicators. However, their work does not happen without challenges. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:00:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-db79cd2e858d4f7caa97af4825ab5aef |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9032 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:00:54Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Healthcare |
| spelling | doaj.art-db79cd2e858d4f7caa97af4825ab5aef2023-11-23T08:34:37ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322021-12-01912171810.3390/healthcare9121718Facility Managers’ Perceptions of Support and Supervision of Ward Based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams in National Health Insurance Pilot Districts in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A Qualitative StudyEuphemia Mbali Mhlongo0Elizabeth Lutge1Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Public Health, Howard College, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban 4000, South AfricaDepartment of Nursing, School of Nursing and Public Health, Howard College, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban 4000, South AfricaIntroduction: Evidence from many countries suggests that provision of home and community-based health services, linked to care at fixed primary health care facilities, is critical to good health outcomes. In South Africa, the Ward-Based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams are well placed to provide these services. The teams report to a primary health care facility through their outreach team leader. The facility manager/operational manager provides guidance and support to the outreach team leader. Aim: The aim of the study was to explore and describe the perceptions of facility managers regarding support and supervision of ward-based outreach teams in the National Health Insurance pilot sites in Kwa Zulu-Natal. Setting: The study was carried out in three National Health Insurance pilot districts in KwaZulu- Natal. Methods: An exploratory qualitative design was used to interview 12 primary health care facility managers at a sub-district (municipal) level. The researchers conducted thematic analysis of data. Findings: Some gaps in the supervisory and managerial relationships between ward based primary health care outreach teams and primary health care facility managers were identified. High workload at clinics may undermine the capacity of PHC facility managers to support and supervise the teams. Field supervision seems to take place only rarely and for those teams living far away from the clinic, communication with the clinic manager may be difficult. The study further highlights issues around the training and preparation of the teams. Conclusions: Ward based primary health care outreach teams have a positive impact in preventive and promotive health in rural communities. Furthermore, these teams have also made impact in improving facility indicators. However, their work does not happen without challenges.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/12/1718supervisioncommunity health workerscommunity caregiversward-based outreach teamsnational health insurancechallenges |
| spellingShingle | Euphemia Mbali Mhlongo Elizabeth Lutge Facility Managers’ Perceptions of Support and Supervision of Ward Based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams in National Health Insurance Pilot Districts in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A Qualitative Study Healthcare supervision community health workers community caregivers ward-based outreach teams national health insurance challenges |
| title | Facility Managers’ Perceptions of Support and Supervision of Ward Based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams in National Health Insurance Pilot Districts in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A Qualitative Study |
| title_full | Facility Managers’ Perceptions of Support and Supervision of Ward Based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams in National Health Insurance Pilot Districts in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A Qualitative Study |
| title_fullStr | Facility Managers’ Perceptions of Support and Supervision of Ward Based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams in National Health Insurance Pilot Districts in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A Qualitative Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Facility Managers’ Perceptions of Support and Supervision of Ward Based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams in National Health Insurance Pilot Districts in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A Qualitative Study |
| title_short | Facility Managers’ Perceptions of Support and Supervision of Ward Based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams in National Health Insurance Pilot Districts in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A Qualitative Study |
| title_sort | facility managers perceptions of support and supervision of ward based primary health care outreach teams in national health insurance pilot districts in kwazulu natal south africa a qualitative study |
| topic | supervision community health workers community caregivers ward-based outreach teams national health insurance challenges |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/12/1718 |
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