Evaluating the new family medicine internship programmes in the Western Cape, South Africa
South African Family Practice
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Evaluating the new family medicine internship programmes in the Western Cape, South Africa | |
| Creator | Hutton, Lauren N. Jenkins, Louis S. Mash, Robert von Pressentin, Klaus Reid, Steve Morgan, Jennie Kapp, Paul | |
| Description | Background: In 2021, South Africa introduced a new 6-month internship in family medicine and primary care. This study aimed to assess the new rotation at district health facilities in the Western Cape.Methods: A descriptive survey of interns and supervisors, as phase-two of an exploratory sequential mixed methods study. Questionnaires were developed from a descriptive exploratory qualitative study. Data were analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences.Results: Questionnaires were completed by 72 interns (response rate 21%) and 36 supervisors (response rate 90%), across 10 training programmes. Interns felt more independent (97.2%), confident (90.3%) and resilient (91.6%). They learnt to manage undifferentiated and chronic conditions (91.6%), to refer patients (94.3%) and conduct procedures (77.8%). Most interns were not exposed to community-based services (68.0%) and continuity of care (54.1%). Supervision was mostly adequate during the day (79.1%) and afterhours (80.6%). Many interns reported no structured teaching programme (41.7% – 55.6%). Most supervision was from medical officers and registrars. Supervisors saw interns as valuable members of the clinical team (100.0%), who required extra support and administration (42.5%). The majority of interns (75.0%) and supervisors (72.7%) thought the rotation was the right length and the best preparation for community service (67.6%).Conclusion: The rotation met most expectations of the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Programmes need to improve exposure to community-orientated primary care, public health medicine, palliative and ongoing care. Supervision and orientation of interns needs improvement.Contribution: This is the first evaluation of the new family medicine internship programme in South Africa. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2024-05-10 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/safp.v66i1.5837 | |
| Source | South African Family Practice; Vol 66, No 1 (2024): Part 2; 8 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/5837/8758
https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5837/8759
https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5837/8760
https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5837/8761
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