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Are nurses the answer to the health needs of rural South Africa?
Abstract
South Africa like many African countries is struggling to provide adequate health care to people living in rural areas. Extending the role of the nurse in the village clinic from prevention and care to diagnosis and treatment is a solution that has been tried in South Africa over the last 20 years. Is this an effective solution? During August 2001 a survey was carried out of the 186 nurses who completed the Diploma in Clinical nursing science at Jubilee Hospital between 1982 and 2001 to find out what career pathway they have followed and whether the course equipped them for their new role as nurse clinician.
Responses to this survey showed that 88% felt the course adequately equipped them for their task and had resulted in improved self esteem and confidence in dealing with emergencies. Nearly 60% of respondents are still working in a primary health care clinic. However, a major problem is that the training is not keeping up with the demand. Only 25% of nurses working in the 3 districts nearest to Jubilee have completed the Diploma. In addition, 28% of these trained nurses are planning to leave within the next 2 years. More nurses need to be trained and the difficulties facing nurse clinicians in rural clinics need to be addressed.
Keywords: Rural Health, Nurse Clinicians, Training
(SA Fam Pract 2003;45(7):20-22)
Responses to this survey showed that 88% felt the course adequately equipped them for their task and had resulted in improved self esteem and confidence in dealing with emergencies. Nearly 60% of respondents are still working in a primary health care clinic. However, a major problem is that the training is not keeping up with the demand. Only 25% of nurses working in the 3 districts nearest to Jubilee have completed the Diploma. In addition, 28% of these trained nurses are planning to leave within the next 2 years. More nurses need to be trained and the difficulties facing nurse clinicians in rural clinics need to be addressed.
Keywords: Rural Health, Nurse Clinicians, Training
(SA Fam Pract 2003;45(7):20-22)
