Article

A new health care profession in rural district hospitals: a case study of the introduction of Clinical Associates in Shongwe hospital

Published in: South African Family Practice
Volume 59 , issue 1 , 2017 , pages: 14–17

DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2016.1248144

Author(s): M Bac Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, South Africa , JMA Hamm Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, South Africa , PC van Bodegraven Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, South Africa , B Pater Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, South Africa , JM Louw Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, South Africa

Keywords: Clinical Associates , primary health care team , rural health , task sharing

Download full text Get new issue alerts

Abstract

Background: One of the reasons to develop training courses for medical mid-level workers in South Africa is a shortage of doctors. The introduction of this new profession has led to task sharing and redefining of professional boundaries. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the introduction of new healthcare professionals in a rural hospital district.

« Nutritional status and metabolic risk in HIV-infected university students: challenges in their monitoring and management

The eventual outcome of patients who had lower limb amputations due to peripheral vascular disease at Pelonomi Hospital, Bloemfontein »