Background: Long waiting times and the quality of care are sometimes compromised by the ineffective systems caused among others by the bottlenecks at the reception and the treatment areas. The Hospital management of the Kopanong Hospital was concerned about the long queues and waiting times in the Hospital’s out-patient department. Therefore, the Hospital management would like to reduce the long queues and the length of the waiting times. The information from the customer care system showed that the average waiting times in the out-patient department was about five hours and that much of this time was spent at reception area waiting for files. However no study was done to systematically measure the waiting time in the OPD and the factors that might have influence on it. This study was planned in this setting to assist the Hospital management in setting the baseline that could be used in benchmarking for monitoring the situation. Aims: To evaluate factors affecting waiting times at the Out-patient department (OPD) of Kopanong Hospital Methodology: The setting of this study was Kopanong Hospital, in the Sedibeng District in the Gauteng Province. This was a cross-sectional study that looked at broad issues pertaining to the waiting time at the Out-patient Department of Kopanong Hospital, a district hospital in a the rural district in the Gauteng Province during three-year study period. The OPD has three sections: General OPD, Paediatric OPD and Antenatal Clinic (ANC). The MS excel software based data extraction tool was designed to obtain data from Hospital Information System. Results: The majority of the patients came from poor socio-economic class and had no medical aid. Therefore, these patients are dependent on public health facilities for their health care and would not be able to pay for their health care. The majority of the patients were self referred except ANC. This might be due to a well-functioning referral system for maternity patients in the District. The majority of the patients attended the General OPD and Paediatric OPD for medical reasons. The analysis of data showed that the patients spent a significant amount of time in the system before they were seen by the nurses and doctors. However, they were also spending a significant amount of time in the Pharmacy. The reasons for efficient record keeping for ANC and Paediatric OPD patients might be due to the fact patients caries their own cards (ANC cards and Road to Health cards). Similar system should be introduced for General OPD patients. Further study is necessary to identify the cause for delay in the Pharmacy. Conclusion: This study was the first of its kind to be done in this Hospital and the Sedibeng Health District. The study identified the areas where patients spent time in the OPD. This would assist the Hospital Management to develop appropriate measures to reduce waiting time in the Hospital OPD. In addition, further study is necessary at the PHC facilities in the District to identify reasons for high self-referral.

M.Cur. (Nursing Administration) / With the Declaration of Alma Ata in September, 1978, a new era in health care delivery, the primary health care era with its slogan of "health for all by the year 2000' dawned. Much thought had to be put into new legislation and reorganizing of health services in South Africa. Soweto, devastated by riots in 1976, suffered badly when all health care services collapsed. Out of this crisis was born a primary health care service that provides Soweto with preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilative health care. The researcher has attempted to give an introduction into primary health care, as practiced world wide, with a review of the historical development of the primary health care service in Soweto. These services were analysed, drawing conclusions on the present service and the status of the health care in Soweto and concluding with proposals for further improvement of the health care services.

M.Cur. / A single comprehensive, equitable and integrated National Health System must be created for South Afiica (ANC, 1994:19). This will be achieved by the ANC's commitment too promotion ofhealth through prevention and education. The Primary Health Care approach is the tenet for the restructuring ofthe health system. To be able to create a Health System which is single, comprehensive, equitable and integrated the system should be accessible, effective, acceptable, affordable and just. Community health nursing should be restructured to comply with these conditions. In this study the functions ofthe district nurse as a component ofthe Community Health Nursing Service within the National Health System is described. The aim ofthis study is to render more prominence to the promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitive aspects ofcommunity health nursing in the home environment. Criteria for the delivery ofa district nursing service as component ofa community health nursing service will also be set and the position ofcurrent district nursing services investigated. An explorative, descriptive study was performed. The functions that the district nurse is supposed to perform will be obtained, by analysing duty sheets, a questionnaire and a literature review, to set guide lines for the delivery ofa district nursing service. Most ofthe district nurse's functions were found to be corresponding, in the duty sheets and questionnaires. But there were also some differences. The final findings are described

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree in Masters of Technology in Homeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / Introduction In South Africa homoeopathy is relatively unfamiliar, even though it has been in existence with formal qualification from 1989 at the Durban University of Technology, (formerly Durban Institute of Technology and Techikon Natal) as well as the University of Johannesburg formerly Wits Technikon). A large portion of the South African public is unclear with regards to homoeopathic understanding and homoeopathic medicine use. South African studies exploring the perception of homoeopathy have revealed that there is a degree of ignorance or misinterpretation of homeopathy. The objectives of this study were to expand the database of knowledge regarding the patients’ experiences of homoeopathy, by investigating their experiences of homoeopathic care rendered at a PHC facility in the eThekwini district, namely, the Redhill homoeopathic clinic. This study was guided by the following grand tour question: What are the experiences of patients of homoeopathic care rendered at a primary healthcare clinic in the eThekwini District? Aim of the study The aim of this study was to determine the experiences of patients receiving homoeopathic care rendered at a primary healthcare facility in the eThekwini district. Methodology A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was employed. Qualitative research in this study was considered the most appropriate method to gain an in-depth understanding of the patients’ experiences of homoeopathic care. Convenience sampling was used to recruit a minimum of 10 potential research participants from patients receiving homoeopathic care at the Redhill homoeopathic clinic, but the sample size was only determined once data saturation was obtained. The study population were patients who were visiting the Redhill homoeopathic clinic for the second time or more and those who had utilized homoeopathic remedies. The data was collected and analysed using Tesch’s eight-step procedure. Results Results from this study showed that the study group had knowledge of homoeopathy and that there is growth in the knowledge of homoeopathy as compared to previous studies. The researcher observed that Indian participants had a better understanding of homoeopathy than African participants. Participants showed great confidence in homoeopathy and most of them revealed a high level of satisfaction with the homoeopathic treatment and were very happy with the service delivery. Results showed that there had been an improvement of the patients’ ailments since the commencement of homoeopathic treatment.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree in Masters of Technology in Homeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015. / Introduction In South Africa homoeopathy is relatively unfamiliar, even though it has been in existence with formal qualification from 1989 at the Durban University of Technology, (formerly Durban Institute of Technology and Techikon Natal) as well as the University of Johannesburg formerly Wits Technikon). A large portion of the South African public is unclear with regards to homoeopathic understanding and homoeopathic medicine use. South African studies exploring the perception of homoeopathy have revealed that there is a degree of ignorance or misinterpretation of homeopathy. The objectives of this study were to expand the database of knowledge regarding the patients’ experiences of homoeopathy, by investigating their experiences of homoeopathic care rendered at a PHC facility in the eThekwini district, namely, the Redhill homoeopathic clinic. This study was guided by the following grand tour question: What are the experiences of patients of homoeopathic care rendered at a primary healthcare clinic in the eThekwini District? Aim of the study The aim of this study was to determine the experiences of patients receiving homoeopathic care rendered at a primary healthcare facility in the eThekwini district. Methodology A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was employed. Qualitative research in this study was considered the most appropriate method to gain an in-depth understanding of the patients’ experiences of homoeopathic care. Convenience sampling was used to recruit a minimum of 10 potential research participants from patients receiving homoeopathic care at the Redhill homoeopathic clinic, but the sample size was only determined once data saturation was obtained. The study population were patients who were visiting the Redhill homoeopathic clinic for the second time or more and those who had utilized homoeopathic remedies. The data was collected and analysed using Tesch’s eight-step procedure. Results Results from this study showed that the study group had knowledge of homoeopathy and that there is growth in the knowledge of homoeopathy as compared to previous studies. The researcher observed that Indian participants had a better understanding of homoeopathy than African participants. Participants showed great confidence in homoeopathy and most of them revealed a high level of satisfaction with the homoeopathic treatment and were very happy with the service delivery. Results showed that there had been an improvement of the patients’ ailments since the commencement of homoeopathic treatment. / M

Background: The recognition of growing health disparities globally and, in particular Sub-Saharan’s continued poor health outcomes, has been responded to with a call to revitalise primary health care (PHC) 30 years after the Alma-Ata Declaration. Despite some limitations, and although not the only solution, community health workers (CHWs) have been shown to be able to reduce factors that can act as barriers to accessing care. However, CHW programmes (often provided by non-governmental organisations in South Africa) have historically been poorly regulated and fragmented. The South African government has proposed to address the health inequities through a series of health system reforms. One of these has been a current attempt to strengthen PHC through the use CHWs in order to reach underserved communities. The capacity of CHWs to provide effective outreach services remains unclear. This work examined the experiences of CHWs in their efforts to improve access to care through community participation and outreach services that work across sectors. Aim: The study aimed to examine the implementation of community health worker-provided services through the comparison of three case studies in order to identify enabling and constraining factors. Methodology: A case study method was used to compare three CHW programmes. Qualitative methods such as key informant interviews, participant observations, focus group discussions and network maps, were used to collect data. A thematic content analysis was used to identify a priori and emergent themes. Results: CHWs operate in communities with multifaceted needs (food, transport, health and social welfare services) requiring a comprehensive approach. The experiences of households in this thesis illustrate the various barriers to accessing services. The success and sustainability of CHW programmes depends on the ongoing commitment of resources, including investment in quality training, supervision, mentoring and organizational support. Furthermore, government institutional contexts with poor cross-sectoral integration, conflicting departmental mandates and poor accountability constrain the efforts of CHWs at local level. Operating within a community with strong social cohesion and social capital provided an enabling environment for CHWs to mobilise the community and facilitate community participation, which is crucial for implementation of cross-sectoral outreach activities. Conclusion: The study indicates that CHWs provide services in communities that live in poverty which results in multiple problems that contribute to ill health. The study goes further to illustrate that in order to strengthen outreach services across relevant sectors, the role of central government is crucial. These findings indicate a need for greater understanding about how to strengthen institutional contexts both in government and in non-governmental organisations.

Thesis (M.Arch. (Professional))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, 2016. / Indigenous medicine has existed in society for centuries. It is one of the few age old practices that has remained an innate part of our sociocultural environment. African indigenous healing is an important component of African culture and is significant in ensuring both well-being and health of the people. The World Health Organization statistics shows that at least 70% -80% of the population have used indigenous medicine in South Africa. Indigenous medicine often carries stigmas and negative perceptions. Countless misconceptions and misunderstandings are experienced by indigenous medicine and indigenous medicinal practitioners that have contributed to their isolation. The intention of this thesis is to explore the coexistence of different medical and health systems through a place of dialogue and education. The study focuses on creating an interface between conventional and local indigenous health systems. Through spaces of collaboration, well-being and knowledge, a connection can be established between the two systems which could essentially promote an interaction and understanding. Through an exploration of the primary theme of “the self and the other” and a secondary theme of holistic well-being. An intricate theoretical framework can be established within the thesis that contributes to both the design development and practicality of the proposal. By further studying literature that pertains to the themes and by interviewing people within both fields will allow for the profound understanding of both forms of medicine. The role of architecture as a social instigator for the de-stigmatization of indigenous medicine and holistic well-being will also be explored, with reference to perception as an awareness tool. The architectural response to the thesis is a collaborative facility at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital that will look at cooperation, education and research with indigenous practitioners, doctors and the public. The will create an opportunity to link the two medicinal systems together and encourage interaction and understanding between the two. It will further place importance on indigenous systems and knowledge that could potentially be used to treat patients universally. Indigenous medicine practitioners will also be housed within the facility to offer an alternative to the conventional system. Thus ideally creating a place where there is dialogue, transformation and appreciation for indigenous knowledge systems. / EM2017

Thesis (MTech (Environmental Health))--Cape Technikon, 2003 / This is a retrospective (descriptive) study ofclinic delivery trends rendered in Cape Town Central District between July 1995 and June 2002. The study describes the history of clinic service delivery in Cape Town Central District, which includes the Primary Health Care model, as well as the District Health system. Clinic delivery trends for the following three periods are determined: I:] Before the implementation ofthe New Health Plan: July 1995 - July 1996; I:] During the implementation of the New Health Plan: July 1997 - June 1998; I:] After the implementation of the New Health Plan: July 1998 - June 2002. The study also determines and compares the nature ofpublic health clinic services delivered during the study period. No official annual health reports were compiled by Cape Town Administration since July 1997. This study therefore serves to determine disease and clinic trends for the periods where no such aonual reports are available. It is important to determine health delivery trends for future strategic plaoning purposes. Changes to the nature and extent ofservices rendered by public health clinics were brought about by the following factors: Cl One approach of Primary Health Care is to refer more patients to public health clinics in order to release pressure from the major tertiary hospitals. If this Primary Health Care (PHC) model is provided appropriately, about 80% ofhealth problems should be solved without referral to another level of care; Cl A number of free public health clinic services have been introduced since the democratization of South Africa in 1994, such as free services to expectant mothers as well as free clinic services to children younger than six years; Cl New clinic services have been added, such as provision ofmedication to stabilized mental health patients; Cl HIV/AIDS has become an international pandemic over the past decade and has shown a 660.8% increase in Cape Town Central District; Cl A limited (19.8%) increase in the population for that area during the study period; Cl Clinic services have been legislated as a nurse driven service since 1997, with an additional emphasis on the curative roles of nurses (traditional roles of nurses at public health clinics were largely preventive and promotive).

Thesis (M.ED (Continuing care and Training)) --University of Limpopo, 2010. / This report describes the research conducted at Phuthanang Home Based Care in Mankweng Township in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Mankweng constitute a mixture of both formal and informal settlements, both urban and rural settlements and is situated about 32 km to the east of Polokwane which is the provincial capital for Limpopo. The aim of the research was to investigate the challenges faced by Phuthanang Home Based Care (HBC) in providing care and training in Mankweng Township. Having established the challenges faced by Phuthanang Home Based Care the researcher intended to recommend possible solutions to these problems. In an attempt to meet the above mentioned aims; the following research questions were formulated: Main question: • What are the challenges faced by Phuthanang Home Based Care in providing care and training? The following sub questions were asked derived from the main question above: • What are the aims and objectives of Phuthanang Home Based Care? • What are the existing services and training programmes offered by caregivers at Phuthanang Home Based Care? • What are the experiences of caregivers in relation to training for Home Based Care? • What is the level of community participation in Phuthanang Home Based Care activities? Chapter two outlines the theoretical framework based on relevant literature on the subject under study. I also formulated assumptions about the challenges that could be facing home based care programmes; these include issues such as lack of funds, inadequate training and stigmatisation among others. In this chapter key concepts were defined and operationalised to suit this research and to avoid ambiguity in interpretation. Chapter three outlines the research methodology. It clearly explains the research design used, data collection and data analysis. This study was purely qualitative and took the form of a single case study design. This enabled a detailed and intensive study of the case as it exists in its natural setting. Data was collected according to two streams which are fieldwork and document analysis. In fieldwork the researcher used multiple data collection techniques which include open ended interviews with the Project Coordinator, Administrator and Caregivers. The other technique used was observations. A focus group interview with the Coordinator, Administrator and four caregivers was also employed during fieldwork. A data matrix was used in the analysis of data. Chapter four constitutes the presentation and analysis of findings of the study. In this chapter; I describe the setting of the organisation in terms of location, historical background as well as its aims and services rendered. It outlines the challenges encountered by Phuthanang Home Based Care in providing care and training based on the results from document analysis, interviews, observations and focus group interview with the Caregivers’, the Administrator and the Coordinator of Phuthanang Home Based Care. The findings will suggest recommendations that will help bolster the state of care giving, training, and improve the way care is rendered to people living with HIV/AIDS and other terminal illness. Chapter five presents my conclusions by outlining the challenges faced by Phuthanang Home Based Care in providing care and training. This chapter also presents recommendations that might contribute towards finding solutions to the problems faced by Phuthanang Home Based Care. After the recommendations I presented a section on reflections of the research process. In conclusion to this chapter I recommend further research on the challenges faced by home based care organisations which have an element of training in poor communities such as townships, informal settlements and rural areas.

No abstract available. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1959.