Internship training adequately prepares South African medical graduates for community service – with exceptions

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dc.contributor.authorNkabinde, T C
dc.contributor.authorRoss, A
dc.contributor.authorReid, S
dc.contributor.authorNkwanyana, N M
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-08T07:18:05Z
dc.date.available2021-10-08T07:18:05Z
dc.date.issued2013
dc.description.abstractBACKGROUND: The 2-year internship period for medical graduates began in South Africa in 2005 and has never been formally evaluated. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the perceptions of community service medical officers (COSMOs) working at district hospitals (DHs) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to determine whether the 2-year internship programme had adequately prepared them for community service (CS). METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted regarding the perceptions of COSMOs working at 22 district hospitals in KZN. Data were collected in July 2012, using a questionnaire based on the core skills and knowledge detailed in the Health Professions Council of South Africa intern log book. All eight domains were self-assessed and a score of 4 out of 5 indicated an ability to work independently. RESULTS: Of the COSMOs, 78% (60 out of 89) completed the questionnaire. Most felt well-prepared for CS in all disciplines, but critical gaps in knowledge and skills were identified in paediatrics, orthopaedics, anaesthetics and obstetrics. In addition, 75% of respondents (45 out of 60) expressed a need for additional training in the disciplines of ear, nose and throat (ENT), urology, ophthalmology and dermatology. CONCLUSION: The 2-year internship has provided the basis for independent medical practice in DHs. However, certain critical skill gaps need urgent attention, particularly in obstetrics and anaesthesia. Areas of weakness in ENT, urology, ophthalmology and dermatology could be addressed by including these specialities as a compulsory rotation in surgery, medicine or family medicine during internship training.
dc.identifier.apacitationNkabinde, T. C., Ross, A., Reid, S., & Nkwanyana, N. M. (2013). Internship training adequately prepares South African medical graduates for community service – with exceptions. <i>South African Medical Journal</i>, 103(12), 930 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34903en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationNkabinde, T C, A Ross, S Reid, and N M Nkwanyana "Internship training adequately prepares South African medical graduates for community service – with exceptions." <i>South African Medical Journal</i> 103, 12. (2013): 930 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34903en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationNkabinde, T.C., Ross, A., Reid, S. & Nkwanyana, N.M. 2013. Internship training adequately prepares South African medical graduates for community service – with exceptions. <i>South African Medical Journal.</i> 103(12):930 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34903en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn0038-2469
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Nkabinde, T C AU - Ross, A AU - Reid, S AU - Nkwanyana, N M AB - BACKGROUND: The 2-year internship period for medical graduates began in South Africa in 2005 and has never been formally evaluated. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the perceptions of community service medical officers (COSMOs) working at district hospitals (DHs) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to determine whether the 2-year internship programme had adequately prepared them for community service (CS). METHOD: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted regarding the perceptions of COSMOs working at 22 district hospitals in KZN. Data were collected in July 2012, using a questionnaire based on the core skills and knowledge detailed in the Health Professions Council of South Africa intern log book. All eight domains were self-assessed and a score of 4 out of 5 indicated an ability to work independently. RESULTS: Of the COSMOs, 78% (60 out of 89) completed the questionnaire. Most felt well-prepared for CS in all disciplines, but critical gaps in knowledge and skills were identified in paediatrics, orthopaedics, anaesthetics and obstetrics. In addition, 75% of respondents (45 out of 60) expressed a need for additional training in the disciplines of ear, nose and throat (ENT), urology, ophthalmology and dermatology. CONCLUSION: The 2-year internship has provided the basis for independent medical practice in DHs. However, certain critical skill gaps need urgent attention, particularly in obstetrics and anaesthesia. Areas of weakness in ENT, urology, ophthalmology and dermatology could be addressed by including these specialities as a compulsory rotation in surgery, medicine or family medicine during internship training. DA - 2013 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - 12 J1 - South African Medical Journal LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2013 SM - 0038-2469 T1 - Internship training adequately prepares South African medical graduates for community service – with exceptions TI - Internship training adequately prepares South African medical graduates for community service – with exceptions UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34903 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/34903
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationNkabinde TC, Ross A, Reid S, Nkwanyana NM. Internship training adequately prepares South African medical graduates for community service – with exceptions. South African Medical Journal. 2013;103(12):930 - 177. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34903.en_ZA
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.departmentPrimary Health Care Directorate
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.sourceSouth African Medical Journal
dc.source.journalissue12
dc.source.journalvolume103
dc.source.pagination930 - 177
dc.source.urihttps://dx.doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.6702
dc.subject.otherAdult
dc.subject.otherClinical Competence
dc.subject.otherCommunity Health Planning
dc.subject.otherCross-Sectional Studies
dc.subject.otherEducation
dc.subject.otherEducation, Medical, Graduate
dc.subject.otherEducational Measurement
dc.subject.otherFemale
dc.subject.otherHumans
dc.subject.otherInternship and Residency
dc.subject.otherMale
dc.subject.otherNeeds Assessment
dc.subject.otherProgram Evaluation
dc.subject.otherSocial Perception
dc.subject.otherSouth Africa
dc.subject.otherSurveys and Questionnaires
dc.titleInternship training adequately prepares South African medical graduates for community service – with exceptions
dc.typeJournal Article
uct.type.publicationResearch
uct.type.resourceJournal Article
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