Retention of medical officers in the district health services of the Western Cape, South Africa: An exploratory descriptive qualitative study
South African Family Practice
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Retention of medical officers in the district health services of the Western Cape, South Africa: An exploratory descriptive qualitative study | |
| Creator | Mash, Robert J. Viljoen, Werner Swartz, Steve Abbas, Mumtaz Wagner, Leigh Steyn, Herma Hendricks, Gavin Stapar, Dusica Williams, Andrew Adeniji, Adeloye Schoevers, Johan Kapp, Paul | |
| Description | Background: An adequate health workforce is an essential building block of effective health systems. In South Africa, medical officers (MOs) are a key component of service delivery in district health services. The Stellenbosch University Family Physician Research Network in the Western Cape identified that retention of MOs was a key issue. The aim of this study was to explore the factors that influence the retention of MOs in public sector district health services in the Western Cape, South Africa.Methods: This is a descriptive exploratory qualitative study. Medical officers were purposefully selected in terms of districts, facility types, gender, seniority and perceived likelihood of leaving in the next four years. Semi-structured interviews were performed by family physicians, and the qualitative data were analysed using the framework method.Results: Fourteen MOs were interviewed, and four major themes were identified: career intentions; experience of clinical work; experience of the organisation; and personal, family and community issues. Key issues that influenced retention were: ensure that the foundational elements are in place (e.g. adequate salary and good infrastructure), nurture cohesive team dynamics and relationships, have a family physician, continue the shift towards more collaborative and appreciative management styles, create stronger career pathways and opportunities for professional development in the district health services, be open to flexible working hours and overtime, and ensure workload is manageable.Conclusion: A number of important factors influencing retention were identified. Leaders and managers of the healthcare services could intervene across these multiple factors to enhance the conditions needed to retain MOs. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2022-05-10 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/safp.v64i1.5467 | |
| Source | South African Family Practice; Vol 64, No 1 (2022): Part 2; 13 pages 2078-6204 2078-6190 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5467/7337
https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5467/7338
https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5467/7339
https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5467/7340
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