Staff knowledge, attitudes and practices in public sector primary care of diabetes in Cape Town

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dc.date.accessioned2021-10-08T07:17:54Z
dc.date.available2021-10-08T07:17:54Z
dc.date.issued1997
dc.description.abstractOBJECTIVE: To audit staff knowledge, attitudes and practices in the interest of improved public sector primary care for diabetics. DESIGN: External audit using face-to-face, private, questionnaire-based interviews. SETTING: Twelve public sector ambulatory health centres in Cape Town. SUBJECTS: Non-specialist, principal staff members (N = 35)-12 doctors, 10 primary health care nurses (PHCNs), 7 registered nurses (RNs) and 6 staff nurses (SNs). RESULTS: Staff members were long-standing employees (mean-doctors 6 years, PHCNs 8 years, RNs 5 years, SNs 12 years). Few had post-basic training (doctors 25%, PHCNs 20%, RNs 26%, SNs 83%). Knowledge of chronic diabetic complications was adequate, e.g. diabetic eye disease was mentioned by 100% of staff. There were gaps in knowledge of pathophysiology and of signs and symptoms of diabetic emergencies, e.g. < 33% knew control of hypertension to be important in the prevention of diabetic nephropathy. Knowledge of appropriate care of patients with hypoglycaemia (94% mentioned glucose administration) was better than that of hyperglycaemia (69% mentioned intravenous fluids). Problems were reported in inter-staff communication within (approximately 50%) and between (approximately 75%) disciplines by doctors, PHCNs and RNs. Staff/patient communication problems were reported by approximately 75% of staff. Solutions suggested by staff included meetings between staff members and with management, in-service training programmes and appointment systems for patients. Despite logistic, organisational and communication-related problems, most staff enjoy and believe in the value of their work. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals deficiencies in in-service training with consequent gaps in knowledge and practice. Recommendations that would lead to improved quality of care and increased staff and patient satisfaction have been given.
dc.identifier.issn0038-2469
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AB - OBJECTIVE: To audit staff knowledge, attitudes and practices in the interest of improved public sector primary care for diabetics. DESIGN: External audit using face-to-face, private, questionnaire-based interviews. SETTING: Twelve public sector ambulatory health centres in Cape Town. SUBJECTS: Non-specialist, principal staff members (N = 35)-12 doctors, 10 primary health care nurses (PHCNs), 7 registered nurses (RNs) and 6 staff nurses (SNs). RESULTS: Staff members were long-standing employees (mean-doctors 6 years, PHCNs 8 years, RNs 5 years, SNs 12 years). Few had post-basic training (doctors 25%, PHCNs 20%, RNs 26%, SNs 83%). Knowledge of chronic diabetic complications was adequate, e.g. diabetic eye disease was mentioned by 100% of staff. There were gaps in knowledge of pathophysiology and of signs and symptoms of diabetic emergencies, e.g. < 33% knew control of hypertension to be important in the prevention of diabetic nephropathy. Knowledge of appropriate care of patients with hypoglycaemia (94% mentioned glucose administration) was better than that of hyperglycaemia (69% mentioned intravenous fluids). Problems were reported in inter-staff communication within (approximately 50%) and between (approximately 75%) disciplines by doctors, PHCNs and RNs. Staff/patient communication problems were reported by approximately 75% of staff. Solutions suggested by staff included meetings between staff members and with management, in-service training programmes and appointment systems for patients. Despite logistic, organisational and communication-related problems, most staff enjoy and believe in the value of their work. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals deficiencies in in-service training with consequent gaps in knowledge and practice. Recommendations that would lead to improved quality of care and increased staff and patient satisfaction have been given. DA - 1997 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - 3 J1 - South African Medical Journal LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 1997 SM - 0038-2469 T1 - Staff knowledge, attitudes and practices in public sector primary care of diabetes in Cape Town TI - Staff knowledge, attitudes and practices in public sector primary care of diabetes in Cape Town UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34854 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/34854
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Medicine
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.sourceSouth African Medical Journal
dc.source.journalissue3
dc.source.journalvolume87
dc.source.pagination305 - 309
dc.source.urihttps://dx.doi.org/10.7196/sajs.718
dc.subject.otherDiabetes mellitus
dc.subject.otherEvaluation
dc.subject.otherBehavior
dc.subject.otherProfessional practice
dc.subject.otherKnowledge
dc.subject.otherHealth staff
dc.subject.otherPublic sector
dc.subject.otherCare
dc.subject.otherPrimary
dc.subject.otherHuman
dc.subject.otherImprovement
dc.subject.otherQuality
dc.subject.otherSouth Africa
dc.subject.otherEndocrinopathy
dc.subject.otherAfrica
dc.subject.otherDiabète
dc.subject.otherComportement
dc.subject.otherPratique professionnelle
dc.subject.otherConnaissance
dc.subject.otherPersonnel sanitaire
dc.subject.otherSecteur public
dc.subject.otherSoin
dc.subject.otherPrimaire
dc.titleStaff knowledge, attitudes and practices in public sector primary care of diabetes in Cape Town
dc.typeJournal Article
uct.type.publicationResearch
uct.type.resourceJournal Article
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