Faculty of Health Sciences
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Item A comprehensive healthcare managerial framework that explicates the manner in which workload factors influence the nurses’ well-being : a case study of a Saudi Arabian hospital(2021-05-27) Chetty, Krishnavellie; Sibiya, M. N.; Naidoo, V.The shortage of specialized intensive care unit (ICU) nurses is a workload factor that negatively influences the provision of quality nursing care by compromising workplace productivity and job satisfaction. Work pressures are evident in health systems throughout the world, where there is growing concern over a nursing shortage in relation to the country's disease profile, population increases, chronic disease growth and increased life expectancies. Although workload plays a fundamental role in staff and patient well-being, minimal research has been conducted on the evaluation of workload effects and its impact on nurses' wellbeing among Saudi Arabian ICU nurses. Aim The aim of the study were to determine the various workload factors that influence the well-being of ICU nurses working in a Saudi Arabian Hospital and to develop a comprehensive healthcare managerial framework that explicates the way workload factors influence nurses’ well-being. Methodology Using a convergent parallel mixed methods design, data were collected by means of semi structured interviews, with 20 participants in the qualitative phase. A survey questionnaire, that was developed and adapted from the Job Demand Resource (JDR) Model, was used to collect to data from 200 participants. The quantitative data were analysed using the latest version 25 of SPSS and qualitative data were analysed using Tesch’s method of data analysis. Findings The findings from the study were aligned to the JDR Model and provided evidence that ICU nurses experienced various workload factors that influenced their well-being and productivity. It was found that the high job demands cause strain and health impairment, which are associated with decreased job satisfaction of staff working in the ICUs of Saudi Arabian hospitals. On the basis of these findings, the researcher proposed and developed guidelines for the implementation of a comprehensive managerial framework that explicated workload factors that influence the well-being of the ICU nurses. The proposed framework can be utilized as an interactive tool that will set out clear actionable steps, providing ongoing guidelines on how healthcare organisations should plan and implement suitable workloads, efficiently and effectively, to ensure staff health and well-being.Item An exploration into the factors influencing job satisfaction among dental technologists in Lagos, Nigeria(2020-11-30) Ndubuisi, Michael Chijioke; Pillay, Julian David; Skea, Denise AngelaThere has been a growing concern within the Nigerian dental technology industry regarding job satisfaction particularly among dental technologists working in the public health sector. There are no previous studies of job satisfaction of dental technologists in Nigeria. The aim of this study was, therefore, to explore the factors influencing job satisfaction among dental technologists working in public hospitals and dental centres in Lagos state, South-West Nigeria. The study was carried out using mainly a qualitative research approach undertaken through a phenomenological research design by learning from the experiences of study participants, otherwise known as interpretivist paradigm. Participants were purposefully selected from both federal (six) and state (12) government establishments within Lagos state, Nigeria. Data was generated by means of semistructured interviews with 18 (males n=10, females n=8) dental technologists. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, then analysed and interpreted using thematic content analysis aided by the qualitative research software, Nvivo 11 Pro (QSR International Pty Ltd, 2015). The results indicate 11 key factors that influenced job satisfaction, including: low employment entry-level, low remuneration, career limiting bar (limited career progression), limited educational advancement. Other factors included: dearth of specialty training, limited funding and opportunity for CPD, strained working relationship between dentists and technologists, low professional status, inadequate professional/work autonomy, lack of equipment and dental supplies and poor working conditions amongst other factors. The majority of the participants expressed satisfaction and fulfilment in their job (career) as oral health workers, but their job satisfaction was undermined by the challenges mentioned above. In the course of the project, valuable data emerged which contributes to the literature concerning those factors that undermine job satisfaction amongst the dental technology professionals in the African context, particularly in Nigerian. Further large scale studies in this field are recommended. This study highlights a number of real and potential problems in relation to job satisfaction in the field of dental technology in Nigeria among those employed in the public health sector. It is apparent that change within the structure of education and professional qualification, although largely welcomed, and if the context in which employees work is improved, this will encourage dental technologists to stay in their jobs, and will improve job satisfaction and and improve productivity and job satisfaction and so reduce the likelihood of job turnover.Item A model to enhance job satisfaction for radiographers employed at selected public tertiary hospitals in the Gauteng province, South Africa(2019-11-27) Khoza, Thandokuhle Emmanuel; Sibiya, M. N.; Nkosi, P. B.Background In South Africa, there is maldistribution of health care professionals between the public and the private sector and between rural and urban areas. Radiographers are no exception to this maldistribution as only 29% are employed by the public sector and 70% are employed by the private sector. Therefore, there is a need to attract and retain radiographers in the public sector to deliver efficient imaging and therapeutic services. Hence, job satisfaction has been identified as one of the important factors in attracting and retaining health care professionals. Aim The aim of this study was to explore the role of intrinsic and extrinsic factors of job satisfaction amongst radiographers employed by public tertiary hospitals in the Gauteng province and develop a model to enhance job satisfaction and improve retention in the public sector. Methodology Exploratory sequential mixed methods design was used to conduct this study in two phases. Phase 1 was conducted through focus group discussions with five purposefully selected radiographers employed by public tertiary hospitals in the Gauteng province. The findings of Phase 1 were used to develop a questionnaire for conducting a survey in Phase 2 of the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from participants in four selected public tertiary hospitals. A total of 182 questionnaires were completed, returned and analysed. The results of the two phases were integrated. Thematic analysis of data was used to identify themes from qualitative data. SPSS, version 23 and statistical analysis tests were used to analyse quantitative data. Findings The results from the two phases of data collection showed that the lack of career pathing was the intrinsic factor that affected job satisfaction. There were four extrinsic factors that affected job satisfaction, namely, government policies, unsatisfactory remuneration, working conditions and the inefficiency of the human relations department. The factors that were identified by participants as having a negative effect on job satisfaction were associated with a greater intent to leave and those that had a positive effect were associated with organizational commitment. The outcome of the study led to the development of a model to enhance job satisfaction for radiographers.Item An exploration into factors resulting in career change by qualified chiropractors within the eThekwini Municipality(2019-09-05) Perumall, Joanna; Sibiya, Nokuthula M.; Abdul-Rasheed, AshuraChiropractic in South Africa faces different and greater challenges when compared to chiropractic in other parts of the world because chiropractic is a form of complementary and alternative medicine which is isolated within the healthcare system of South Africa. Chiropractors are burdened by the lack of acceptance and recognition both publicly and professionally. This results in financial challenges thereby impacting negatively on income and the ability to maintain a practice. Furthermore, the perceptions of chiropractors’ are altered after failing to find success in active practice. These factors result in career dissatisfaction. Consequently, they pursue alternate careers to satisfy their personal and professional needs. While many studies have explored career satisfaction among practicing chiropractors, the factors influencing career change by qualified chiropractors have been minimally explored. Aim of the study The aim of the research study was to explore and discuss the factors resulting in career change by qualified chiropractors within the eThekwini municipality. Methodology A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was employed to guide the study. A structured interview guide was used to conduct in-depth interviews with 10 non-practicing chiropractors within the eThekwini municipality. The main research questions for this study were “Why are you not a practicing chiropractor?”, “Do you have other professional qualifications?”, “What do you think are the benefits of being in this career as opposed to practicing as a chiropractor?” and “Do you wish to practice as a chiropractor in the future?” Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data of this study The main themes that emerged from the study were the challenges of private practice, perceptions of the chiropractic programme and choosing alternate careers over chiropractic. The participants of this study expressed financial challenges in private practice, a lack of recognition of the profession and the time invested into private practice left no time for family responsibilities. The participants explained that the chiropractic programme and research component is a tedious process with minimal rewards post-qualification. Furthermore, the participants experienced greater benefits and rewards in alternate careers. Conclusion The findings that emerged from this study indicate that chiropractors are faced with numerous challenges post-qualification. Therefore, it is necessary for the DUT chiropractic faculty and staff to actively engage with chiropractic candidates and chiropractic students and vice versa (Leach 2004). Such engagement will adequately equip the students with a better understanding and knowledge of the programme to assist in their success post-qualification.Item Factors impacting on the retention of radiographers in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa(AFAHPER-SD, 2014) Amusa, L.O.; Thambura, Muchui Julius; Swindon, LyndaStaffing crisis in healthcare profession is not only a South African issue, but a global concern. Radiography is also one of the professions affected. According to records from Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) department as at 8th August 2013, there were 427 vacancies in the year 2008, 445 vacancies in 2009, 447 in 2010, 79 vacancies in the year 2011 and 81 vacancies in 2012. The vacancies in 2011 and 2012 were low because the government froze all posts that were not filled. Hospitals are thus understaffed. This study aimed to explore factors impacting on the retention of radiographers in KZN. A quantitative, descriptive survey design was used by completing an online questionnaire. The findings indicate that, in addition to the workload, radiographers were unhappy with salary and remuneration. They also stated that their expectations regarding the profession, careers progression opportunities were hindered. This was as a result of limited opportunities for professional development in the context of a limited scope of practice and over- dependence on the professionals themselves. The issue of scope of practice should be reviewed to align with the career progression which could create greater professional satisfaction and retention of radiographers within the KZN province in South Africa.Item A retrospective survey of the career paths and demographics of Durban University of Technology (DUT) chiropractic graduates(2008) Black, Elmi; Brunette-de Busser, NikkiAims and Objectives: To assess the demographics, career paths and factors affecting chiropractic graduates of Durban University of Technology (DUT) from June 1994 to June 2007. Method: A retrospective qualitative survey was conducted on 62 chiropractic graduates of DUT. The sample represented 25.5% of the total chiropractic population. Raw data regarding the demographics, respondents’ perception of their education, current career paths, the factors responsible for affecting these career paths, as well as a profile of chiropractic practices in South Africa (SA) was obtained. All data acquired was assessed using SAS (Statistical Analysis System) version 9.1.3. The data was purely descriptive, describing respondents’ career paths and their experiences, and no specific hypothesis was investigated. Results: The average respondent was found to be a married, white male who started his chiropractic career at age 25-26 years. A total of 98.4% (n = 61) of the respondents were currently in practice, with 80.6% (n = 50) indicating career satisfaction. The majority (62.9%; n = 39) of respondents perceived there to be a growing acceptance of chiropractic within the medical community, whilst 98.4% (n = 61) stated that they are currently part of an active referral system between various other medical practitioners. 46% (n = 23) listed DUT as their preferred choice of chiropractic institution. Conclusion and Recommendations: The majority of respondents’ indicated DUT as the preferred choice of chiropractic institution due to its location and the system of chiropractic taught (diversified). However, shortcomings in the education were highlighted to be a lack of practically applicable knowledge taught at undergraduate level, most especially business skills and speciality areas and that respondents’ perceived the qualification not to be as versatile and widely accepted as other international chiropractic qualifications. Factors responsible for positively affecting the career paths of chiropractic graduates were indicated to be the personality type of the graduate, the means to finance a practice, support from parents and spouse or partner and the level of acceptance graduates received from the public and other professions within the medical sector. A recommendation for future studies is that a longer time period be given for questionnaires to be returned and a larger sample group be established in order to ensure that the sample group and total population is homogenous.