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Published:
Sep 19, 2006Keywords:
clinic visits primary care perceptions doctors team work clinic nurses
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The role of clinic visits: perceptions of doctors
Abstract
Background
The aim of this study was to ascertain what doctors perceive to be their role in visiting district clinics.
Methods
Individual and focus group interviews were conducted with hospital doctors of different seniority and with doctors who work solely in the clinics.
Results
A range of important themes emerged from the interviews, relating to the intended function of the clinics and their resources, the operationalisation of doctors' visits, the varied roles that doctors play in clinics and the importance of teamwork and support. Doctors working full time in the clinics shared a more positive view.
Conclusions
There is a need for clear consensus policy and guidelines on the role of the doctor in primary care clinics, the involvement of the doctor in the management of clinics, structuring doctors' visits to ensure continuity, facilitating transport for doctors, and ensuring that dedicated doctors are available to visit clinics, to support community service doctors visiting the clinics and to train clinic nurses.
Keywords: clinic visits; primary care; perceptions; doctors; team work; clinic nurses
For full text, click here:SA Fam Pract 2005;47(8):60-65"
