A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has a mortality of 80 percent. The majority of these cases present as medical emergencies, with 50 percent dying before they reach hospital. Twenty percent are not operated on because of an incorrect diagnosis and of the surviving 30 percent, there will be a peri-operative mortality of 40 percent. Thus only 20 percent of patients survive this condition. It is important to state that the long-term survival reported for patients undergoing AAA surgery approximates that of age-matched populations. This is in contrast to patients undergoing a coronary bypass procedure, where the long-term survival is affected by factors such as hypertension, angina and peripheral vascular disease. If the condition is diagnosed electively, the mortality rate is reduced to less than 5 percent. The researcher obtained the records of 18 patients who had presented to the vascular service at the New Kingsbury Hospital with a diagnosis of a ruptured or acute symptomatic AAA. He interviewed the referring family doctor and also obtained information from the case records to determine whether there were missed opportunities for the detection of such aneurysms. The results of the research showed that 12 general practitioners (GP's) out of a group of 13, were unaware that abdominal ultrasound is a highly specific and sensitive method for detecting AAA's. Only one of the group of 13 GP's regularly screens for AAA. The diagnosis of AAA was missed in 12 of the 18 patients. In this series the mean diameter of the aorta was 7,67 cm which is considered to be easily palpable. Five of the patients were referred to specialists for incidental reasons and they all failed to detect the AAA. The majority of patients with AAA's have at least 2 associated risk factors. The patients consulted their GP at least 5 times over the 24 month period. The GP's are not aware of the different modes of presentation, associated risk factors nor the value of screening for AAA's. Ten of the group of 13 GP's profess to engage in some form of Continuing Medical Education (CME). I have suggested a few guidelines to encourage family physicians to screen for AAA in all males over the age of 60, especially if they have risk factors, such as hypertension, a current or former cigarette smoker, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease and a family history of AAA. The examination should include a thorough abdominal palpation and referral for an abdominal ultrasound examination to obtain the precise diameter of the AAA as treatment depends on the size of the AAA.

Tubal sterilization is the world's most popular contraceptive method. The possibility of subsequent menstrual dysfunction has been a cause for concern. This study was conducted to examine whether post-sterilisation menstrual dysfunction was measurable in a group of women attending a general practice, by means of a case-control study. Biopsychosocial factors, such as health status, social support, psychological and medical history, and reasons for sterilisation were investigated to see whether any of these factors could be predictive of post-sterilisation menstrual problems. Sterilised women attending a general practice over an eight-month period were invited to participate in the study. 143 out of 144 patients completed a highly structured interview (questionnaire) administered by two interviewers. Forty-nine cases were identified and compared to ninety-four controls. The results showed that women with menstrual dysfunction differed from a comparison group in that; those with menstrual dysfunction were generally less satisfied with their quality of life, had significantly more fears about sterilisation, felt that the quality of their social support was inferior, and suffered from depression and tension headaches more often than controls. Menstrual dysfunction was also more common during the first two years after tubal ligation. These results could point to factors other than biological factors involved in menstrual dysfunction following tubal ligation.

Thesis (MFamMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: The number of adults affected by diabetes mellitus in developing countries, such as South Africa, is projected to grow by 170%, from 84 to 228 million people between 1995 and 2025 .This high and increasing prevalence of diabetes worldwide, and the economic burden of diabetes on developing countries like South Africa emphasizes the importance of ensuring good glycemic control so as to slow down the rate of disease progression and prevent complications. The district health care facilities are the foundation of the health care system of South Africa. The current practice is that diabetics have a point of care random blood glucose (RBG) done on the morning of their clinic appointment and this is used as a form of assessment of glycemic control during the consultation. For further clinical decision making a HbA1c is done once a year as a benchmark of glycemic control. The practical clinical question that arises is whether the assumptions underlying local clinical decision making using the RBG are valid and to what extent RBG can be used to guide clinical management. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the strength of the correlation between RBG and HbA1c and to make recommendations for the interpretation of RBG results in adult patients with Type 2 Diabetes taken at Karl Bremer District Hospital out-patient department. The objectives were: To determine glycaemic control in the study population and compare differences between age, sex and racial groups , and determine the RBG cut-off with the best sensitivity and specificity for predicting poor glycaemic control (HbA1c>7.0% ) as well as the predictive value, likelihood ratio and pre/post-test odds and probability at this cut off. Methods: A retrospective analysis of existing hospital data and the HbA1c tests requested from the NHLS by Karl Bremer Hospital over the 2011 year period. The data was analysed by means of a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to determine the value of RBG with the best combination of sensitivity and specificity to predict poor control of diabetes. A p-value of < 0.05 was assumed to represent statistical significance and 95% confidence intervals were used to describe the estimation of unknown parameters. HbA1c level of < = 7% was taken as representing good control and > 7% poor control. Results: Data was obtained on 349 diabetic patients of whom 203 (58.2%) were female and 146 (41.8%) male. This study population had a mean age of 54.7 years, mean RBG of 13.0mmol/l and mean HBA1c of 9.4%. The total number of black patients was 79 (23%), coloured patients 147 (42%) and white patients 122 (35) % and their mean RBG were 15.4 mmol/l, 12.8 mmol/l and 11.9 mol/l respectively. There was a statistically significant correlation between increasing RBG and increasing HbA1c (p< 0.01). The best value obtained on the ROC curve was an RBG of 9.8 mmol/l, which had a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 75%, positive predictive value of 0.88, positive likelihood ratio 3.08 and post-test probability of 88.2% for predicting an HbA1c above 7%. Conclusion: It was concluded that a moderate correlation exists between RBG and HbA1c in this population of diabetic patients. .The best RBG for determining poor control, defined as a HbA1c>7.0%, was found to be 9.8mmol/l and this RBG had a sensitivity of 77% , specificity of 75% and positive predictive value of 88%. Significant differences were found in pre- and post -test probability for different racial groups. Point of care testing using this level of RBG for clinical decision making will inappropriately categorise 23% of patients in this population and therefore introducing point of care testing for HbA1c is recommended.

Thesis (MFamMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction This cross-sectional study assessed factors affecting access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV patients. The aim of this study was to explore factors that delay patients from accessing antiretroviral treatment at an East London Hospital Complex clinic and to determine the pathway that people from communities in the surrounding area take in order to access antiretroviral treatment at the referral hospital ART clinic Methods The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional survey using both open and closed questions to generate qualitative and quantitative data. The survey used a questionnaire administered via a face to face interview. 200 Adult patients (>18years old) from the local population with a CD4 count of ≤100/mm3 referred to the ART clinic at East London Hospital Complex for the first time during May to October 2011 were interviewed. Results With the health system, some issues were structural (staffing, availability of CD4 counts) and most were process related and reflected a poor patient experience and lack of trust in the quality of care. Contextual related issues were mainly geographic accessibility (cost and lack of transport, distance to health care facility), stigma and discrimination about HIV. Patients related factors included misperceptions and false beliefs about HIV, low level of education, socioeconomic factors, lack of family and social support such as unavailability of treatment supporter and status of patient’s general health discouraged people from seeking ART. Coping strategies such as denial of results and reluctant to disclose results to other people came out as a distrust of patients in community. Conclusions This study gives evidence that people living with HIV experience health system, patient and contextual related barriers to access HIV treatment. The majority accessed care via their local primary care clinic and traditional or alternative practitioners did not appear to play a major role. The distance from and cost of transport to the referral hospital ART service was a major issue compounded by the difficulty of travelling when acutely sick. The expectation of long waiting times and sometimes negative staff attitudes reduced motivation. A number of other factors related to the patient, the health service and the community context were also identified. Many of these factors that reduce access to ART are amenable to change.

Thesis (MFamMed) Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ABSTRACT: Background: The initiation of antenatal care (“booking”) is universally recommended in the first trimester. While working in the Michael Mapongwana antenatal clinic (ANC) in Khayelitsha, the researcher noticed that late booking was prevalent, with consequent impaired antenatal care and increased potential for adverse outcomes. The objective of this qualitative study was to understand why women book late at this specific ANC. Methods: Twenty-three in-depth, open-ended interviews were conducted with 23 late bookers (i.e. who booked after 18 weeks) who attended the ANC between June and October in 2009. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed according to the “Framework” model. Results: The mean gestational age at booking was 26,4 weeks (range: 20 to 34 weeks). The majority were multigravid, unmarried and unemployed. A high incidence of previous or current obstetric problems was noted. Important personal barriers included ignorance of purpose of antenatal care, ignorance of ideal booking time, and denial or late recognition of an unplanned pregnancy. Provider barriers appeared to be significant, especially the cumbersome booking system, absence of an ultrasound service, and perceived poor quality of care. Conclusion: A combination of personal and provider barriers contributed to late booking at this clinic - it seems that the perceived effort of attending this antenatal service outweighed the perceived value thereof. Provider barriers should be addressed by accommodating patients’ needs, optimising nurse-patient interaction, provision of an ultrasound service and improvement of the booking system. Public awareness of early booking and the holistic value of antenatal care should also be enhanced.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Rationale: Critical questions have been raised about the overcrowding of primary care services, such as community health centres (CHCs) and clinics in predominantly Xhosa-occupied areas in the Western and Eastern Cape, with clients who present with minor health ailments. Suggestions have been made about the integration and the use of the indigenous health knowledge (IHK) carried by older Xhosa women in the services as a strategy for managing minor health ailments, and as a way of encouraging appropriate health-seeking behaviour. Preliminary studies have reinforced the need for the revival of the IHK that currently is lying dormant within communities. The studies affirm that such knowledge could be an asset if integrated into, and valued by, the Western biomedical model, and could play a major role in contributing towards alleviating the problem of overcrowding in primary care (PC) services. Aim: This study primarily explored and described the IHK carried by older Xhosa women and used in the management of health problems in their home situation. Secondary recommendations were made to key stakeholders regarding the use, retainment and integration of the IHK into PC services. Method: This ethnographic, feminist and emancipatory study used qualitative methods of data collection. Thirty-six (36) older Xhosa women were purposefully selected to participate in four FGDs, to explore the IHK that they used for managing health problems in their home situation. Sixteen (16) in-depth interviews were conducted with the elite older Xhosa women and their family members to validate the findings from the four FGDs. The process of analysis and interpretation was informed by an inductive process of a combination of narrative analysis and the analysis of narratives strategies. Findings: The findings showed that the older Xhosa women possess IHK regarding the management of minor health problems within the home situation. Assessment, treatment strategies and medications were identified. Functionality and observation are mainly used to diagnose and manage illness. This approach also includes monitoring the progress, severity and recovery from illness in the patient. The findings further demonstrated that older Xhosa women were also managing illnesses that could be classified as major. They could clearly distinguish between what was health and what was illness in their village. Distance from health care services had an impact on the health-seeking behaviour of the older Xhosa women, with those closer to health care services wanting all illnesses, even those that could be classified as minor health ailments, to be managed by the health service, and those who were farther away from the hospital appearing to manage complex illnesses, and only referring clients with those illnesses to external health care services quite late. The findings further showed communication and attitudinal problems that existed between the clients and health care providers. Conclusion: Many studies have already challenged the manner in which PHC was implemented in developing countries, as it appeared to focus on the curative approach to disease and left out disease prevention and health promotion. It is within this area that the older Xhosa women appear to express the greatest concern for the health of their homes and villages. The older Xhosa women in the Eastern Cape appear to be struggling with problems of broken family units, and are left behind to struggle to keep the home together, as they lack the necessary resources to do the hard work involved with producing food and building the home and village. In the light of the promise of National Health Insurance and the revitalisation of PHC, the study proposes that the two major national health policies should take cognisance of the IHK utilised by the older Xhosa women, and that there should be a clear plan as to how the knowledge can be supported within a health care systems approach. A rural health model is proposed by the study to do this. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Rasionaal: Daar word kritiese vrae gestel oor die toeloop van mense met geringe ongesteldhede by primêre-sorg(PS)-dienste, soos gemeenskapgesondheidsentrums (GGS) en klinieke, hoofsaaklik in Xhosa-woongebiede in die Wes- en Oos-Kaap. Voorstelle is geopper dat ouer Xhosa-vroue se inheemse gesondheidskennis (IGK) by die dienste geïntegreer en benut moet word as ’n strategie om minder ernstige gesondheidsprobleme te bestuur en om mense aan te moedig om toepaslike keuses oor gesondheidshulp te maak. Voorlopige navorsing het die nodigheid bevestig dat die kundigheid wat tans onbenut in gemeenskappe lê, herontgin behoort te word. Die navorsing bevestig dat sulke kennis ’n bate kan wees indien dit as ’n gewaardeerde element by die Westerse biomediese model ingeskakel word en dat dit ’n groot rol kan speel om die druk op PS-sentrums te verlig. Doelstelling:Hierdie navorsing ondersoek en beskryf hoofsaaklik die IGK waaroor ouer Xhosa-vroue beskik en wat in die hantering van gesondheidsprobleme in hul tuisomgewing aangewend word. Aanvullende aanbevelings rakende die gebruik, behoud en integrasie van IGK by PS-dienste is aan bepalende belanghebbers voorgelê. Metode: Kwalitatiewe data-insamelingsmetodes is in hierdie etnografiese, feministiese en bevrydingsgerigte navorsing gebruik. Ses-en-dertig ouer Xhosa-vroue is spesifiek uitgesoek vir deelname aan vier fokusgroepbesprekings (FGB’s) om hul hantering van gesondheidsprobleme in hul tuisomgewing aan die hand van hul IGK te ondersoek. Sestien indringende onderhoude is met die elite- ouer Xhosa-vroue en hul gesinslede gevoer om die bevindings van die vier besprekings te bevestig. Die proses van ontleding en vertolking is gerig deur ’n induktiewe proses wat ’n kombinasie van narratiewe ontleding en die ontleding van narratiewe strategieë behels het. Bevindings: Die bevindings wys dat ouer Xhosa-vroue IGK het rakende die hantering van minder ernstige gesondheidsprobleme in die tuisomgewing. Evalueringsmetodes, behandelingstrategieë en medikasie is uitgewys. Kwale word hoofsaaklik volgens funksionaliteit en waarneming gediagnoseer en hanteer. Die werkwyse sluit in dat pasiënte se vordering, die erns van hul siekte en hul herstel gemoniteer word. Die bevindings wys verder dat ouer Xhosa-vroue ook siektetoestande hanteer wat as ernstig geklassifiseer kan word. Hulle kan duidelik tussen gesondheid en siekte in hul gemeenskap onderskei. Die afstand vanaf gesondheidsorgdienste speel ’n rol in die gedrag van ouer Xhosa-vroue wat keuses oor gesondheidshulp betref; diegene wat na aan ʼn gesondheidsorgsentrum woon, verkies dat die gesondheidsdienste alle siektes - selfs dié wat as minder ernstige gesondheidskwale geklassifiseer kan word - moet hanteer, terwyl diegene wat verder van ’n hospitaal woon, klaarblyklik self komplekse siektetoestande behandel en eers op ’n gevorderde stadium sulke kliënte na eksterne gesondheidsorgdienste verwys. Die bevindings het ook probleme rakende kommunikasie en houdingsingesteldheid tussen kliënte en gesondheidsdiensverskaffers uitgewys. Gevolgtrekking: Verskeie ondersoeke het al die manier waarop PG-sorg in ontwikkelende lande toegepas word, bevraagteken, aangesien die benadering oënskynlik op genesing fokus terwyl dit siektevoorkoming en gesondheidsvoorligting verontagsaam. Dis oor hierdie aspek dat die ouer Xhosa-vroue skynbaar die grootste kommer oor die welstand van hul huishoudings en gemeenskappe het. Die ouer Xhosa-vroue in die Oos-Kaap het klaarblyklik met dieselfde probleme van gebroke gesinne as dié in die Wes-Kaap te kampe, en word dikwels alleen agtergelaat om die huishouding te laat oorleef. Hulle kry swaar om sonder die nodige hulpbronne die harde werk te doen om voedsel te produseer en om huishoudings en die gemeenskap op te bou. In die lig van die vooruitsigte wat nasionale gesondheidsversekering en vernuwing van die PGS inhou, stel hierdie navorsingsprojek voor dat bogenoemde twee hoofelemente van die nasionale gesondheidsorgbeleid aandag skenk aan die IGK wat ouer Xhosa-vroue toepas, asook dat ’n duidelike plan uitgewerk word oor hoe hierdie kennis binne die benadering tot gesondheidsorg ondersteun kan word. Die navorsings stel ’n model vir plattelandse gesondheidsorg voor om dié doelstellings te verwesenlik.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A portfolio of learning is one way of showing evidence of performance over a period of time. Worldwide, the need for social accountability and health services reforms has led to an increased interest in competency-based medical education with specific outcomes. Postgraduate training increasingly focuses on life-long adult learning, placing emphasis on close supervision with feedback and workplace-based assessment. South Africa, although better resourced, faces many similar socio-political and health services challenges as the rest of Africa. The democracy is less than 20 years old, with 80% of the previously disadvantaged population now having access to health services. In this new era medical schools have aligned their curricula to focus on patient-centred primary health care. The huge demand for appropriately trained family physicians has become a national priority. Subsequently, the College of Family Physicians of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa developed a national exit examination for postgraduate family medicine training. One component of the examination is the submission of a satisfactory portfolio of learning. The aim of this thesis was to develop a national portfolio for postgraduate family medicine education in South Africa. It needed to be valid, acceptable, useful for learning, and be assessed in a reliable way. The research process involved a collaboration with registrars, supervisors and programme managers from all eight medical schools in the country over four years and culminated in the first national portfolio for family medicine in the country. The thesis was done by way of publication, which involved four articles being published in international journals, outlining the development, implementation and assessment of our portfolio. Content and construct validity of the draft portfolio was established through a Delphi process. Subsequently, the portfolio was implemented at all eight medical schools. Workshops over two years at all the universities facilitated implementation and provided feedback on the use of the portfolio across the country. After implementation of this initial portfolio, the acceptability, educational impact, and usefulness for assessment were evaluated through a national survey and in-depth interviews. A portfolio assessment tool was developed and its reliability was established for the overall score. The assessment tool has also been implemented nationally. The portfolio’s requirements have made the expectations and challenges of workplace-based learning and assessment more visible, with supervision, safe learning environments and more user-friendly learning and assessment tools needing further research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ‘n Portefeulje met bewyse van opleiding is een manier om bevoegdheid en prestasie oor ‘n periode van tyd te demonstreer. Sosiale verantwoordelikheid en hervormings in gesondheidsdienste wêreldwyd het gelei tot vaardigheids-gebaseerde mediese opvoeding met spesiefieke uitkomste. Nagraadse opleiding fokus toenemend op lewenslange volwasse leermetodes met ‘n groot klem op nabye toesig, terugvoer en werksgebaseerde evaluasies. Alhoewel Suid-Afrika beter toegerus is as meeste lande in Afrika, staar die land baie soortgelyke sosiaal-politiese en gesondheids uitdagings in die gesig. Met die jong demokrasie van 20 jaar het 80% van mense wat voorheen nie toegang gehad het tot goeie gesondheidsdienste nie nou wel toegang. Mediese skole het hul kurrikulums aangepas om te konsentreer op pasient-gefokusde primêre gesondheidsorg. Die Kollege van Huisartse van die Kolleges van Geneeskunde van Suid-Afrika het ‘n nasionale eksamen vir nagraadse opleiding in huisartskunde in die land geimplementeer. Een van die komponente van die eksamen behels die inhandiging van ‘n bevredigende opleidingsportefeulje. Die doel van hierdie tesis was om ‘n nasionale portefeulje vir nagraadse opleiding in huisartskunde in Suid-Afrika te ontwikkel. Die portefeulje moes geldig en aanvaarbaar wees, asook nuttig vir leer en ook op ‘n betroubare manier evalueer kon word. ‘n Proses van samewerking tussen kliniese assistente, toesighouers en programbestuurders van al agt mediese skole in die land oor ‘n periode van vier jaar het die eerste nasionale opleidingsportefeulje vir huisartskunde in Suid-Afrika die lig laat sien. Hierdie is ‘n tesis by wyse van publikasie deur vier artikels wat in internasional journale verskyn het, wat die ontwikkeling, implementering, en evaluering van die portefeulje beskryf. Die geldigheid van die inhoud en samestelling van die portefeulje was ontwikkel deur ‘n Delphi proses. Nadat die portefeulje geimplementeer was, was die aanvaarding, leerimpak en nuttigheid vir evaluering ondersoek deur ‘n nasionale opname en in-diepte onderhoude. Werkswinkels by al die universiteite het die geldigheid en implemetering van die portefeulje verder versterk. ‘n Instrument om die portefeulje te evalueer was ontwikkel en in gebruik geneem landwyd, en betroubaarheid van die totale telling was bewerkstellig. Die behoeftes van die portefeulje het die verwagtinge en uitdagings van werksgebaseerde opleiding en evaluering meer sigbaar gemaak, met toesighouding, veilige leeromgewings en meer gebruiksvriendelike leer- en evalueringsinstrumente as areas identifiseer wat aangaande navorsing benodig.

Thesis (MFamMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: A national roll-out of antiretroviral therapy in the public sector was started in 2004, and Paarl was one of the first sites to start these services in the Western Cape. Operational research is required to guide the continuous improvement of such services. This research aimed to describe the characteristics of the treatment cohort started at TC Newman CDC’s ARV clinic in Paarl, to determine the retention in treatment rate and to assess the clinical and virological outcomes. Methods: A retrospective descriptive and observational study was done at the TC Newman ARV clinic in Paarl. All adult HIV positive patients that were started on antiretroviral therapy in the given time period were included. Patient and treatment data had been collected in an electronic database (e-register) and were extracted and analysed. Results: Starters: Out of the 2469 patients that were enrolled for ARV treatment between February 2004 and December 2010, 2254 started locally (the rest transferred in). 64% of them were female (decreasing rate over the years). Strugglers: By June 2011 51.5% of patients were still on ARVs, 6.9% patients had died, 16.7% had been ‘transferred out’and 24.7% were reported as ‘Lost to Follow-up’. 40% of the attrition of the cohort occurred in the first 6 months, 70% in the first 18 months. Stayers: Of the 1172 patients retained after start at TC Newman CDC, 1023 (87.3%) were still on Regime 1 and 149 (12.7%) on Regime 2. Conclusions: The results of this treatment cohort (mortality, treatment retention and regimen durability) equal those in other published treatment cohorts, although very limited comparable data are available. However, the high ‘lost to follow-up’ rate is of concern and needs further investigation. Changes in the programme structure and environment tend to have an immediate effect on initiation numbers of new patients.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: District hospitals play a pivotal role in the district health system of the Western Cape and other provinces of South Africa. It is a dual role, supporting both primary health care services and serving as a gateway to higher levels of care. Most district hospitals are in rural areas, staffed by generalist medical practitioners who provide health services often supplied by specialists in urban areas. There is a paucity of research and published material on the scope of practice of district hospital practitioners in South Africa, as well as the factors influencing the performance of their duties. There were two main objectives for this study. Firstly, to identify the professional knowledge and skills of medical practitioners delivering district hospital services in the Western Cape and to compare these with service platform needs. Secondly, to use the information gathered to make recommendations regarding human resource development and appropriate education and training and continuing professional development of these doctors. The study was conducted in three phases to ensure coherent evolution of investigation, co-ordination and response. Phase One was a comprehensive survey, utilising district hospital data, medical officer questionnaires and in-depth interviews to determine the professional knowledge and skills of medical practitioners working in district hospitals in the Western Cape. This information gathering endeavour resulted in a skills and knowledge compendium being formulated. It established that the spectrum of functions required of these doctors was extremely wide - ranging from the management of undifferentiated problems to performing complex surgical procedures, as well as providing a vital public health function. Two main factors influenced their performance, namely their working conditions and the education and training which they received.In common with rural practice in other countries, it was apparent that the working environment had a major impact on attitudes and functioning. These findings were developed into a conceptual framework depicting the negative influences that can build up and result in these doctors opting out of rural practice. In addition, other influences were established having a profound effect on doctors’ satisfaction, mainly in the realm of education and training. This gave rise to a second more comprehensive framework being evolved, encapsulating the positive and negative factors enhancing or retarding efficiency and satisfaction in the workplace. Phase Two of the study consisted of the validation of the findings of the basic research data. In keeping with the second aim of the study, the education and training perspectives of rural and district hospital practice were explored. The deficiencies exposed have implications for undergraduate and postgraduate education and training, as well as for continuing professional development programmes. Phase Three concentrated on the exploration of ways and means of defining and maintaining ongoing professional competence for district hospital practice. This was approached by using the data captured in Phase One and refined in Phase Two to pose a series of educational problems to a group of experts. Using the Delphi Technique, a series of electronic exchanges achieved consensus on a range of topics varying from educational content to learning modalities and modern adult teaching techniques applicable to district hospital practice. This research presents information defining the circumstances, experiences and needs of medical practitioners working in district hospitals in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It reveals clear challenges to the capacity, attitudes, costs, isolation, political will, monitoring and organisation which will be crucial in the development of future human resource strategies.It, furthermore, defines the educational objectives, content and methods required to establish and maintain the ongoing professional competence of medical practitioners delivering district hospital services in the Western Cape. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Distrikshospitale speel ‘n sentrale rol in die distriksgesondheidstelsel van die Wes- Kaap en ander provinsies in Suid-Afrika. Dit is ‘n dubbele rol wat beide primêre gesondheidsorgdienste ondersteun en optree as ‘n deurgang vir verwysing na hoër vlakke van sorg. Die meeste distrikshospitale is te vinde in plattelandse gebiede. Dit is hier waar die algemene geneeskundige praktisyn dienste lewer wat gewoonlik deur spesialiste in stedelike gebiede verrig word. Daar is ‘n gebrek aan bestaande navorsing en publikasies oor die omvang van praktyk van geneeshere in distrikshospitale in Suid- Afrika, sowel as onvoldoende inligting in verband met faktore wat die funksionering van hierdie praktisyns beïnvloed. Hierdie studie het twee hoofdoelwitte vervat. Die eerste doelwit was die bepaling van die professionele kennis en vaardighede van geneeshere werksaam in distrikshospitale in die Wes-Kaap, en die vergelyking daarvan met die behoetes van die diensplatform. Die tweede doelwit was om hierdie inligting te gebruik om aanbevelings te doen aangaande menslike hulpbronontwikkeling en toepaslike onderrig, opleiding en voortgesette professionele ontwikkeling vir hierdie geneeshere. Die studie is in drie fases uitgevoer om samehangende ontwikkeling van ondersoek, koördinasie en respons te verseker. Fase Een het bestaan uit ‘n omvattende opname van die professionele kennis en vaardighede van geneeshere werksaam in distrikshospitale in die Wes-Kaap deur die gebruik van distrikshospitaaldata, vraelyste vir geneeshere, en in-diepte onderhoude. Die resultate is gebruik om ‘n omvattende stel kennis en vaardigheidsareas te identifiseer. Fase Een het bewyse gelewer dat die rol en funksie van dokters in distrikshospitale uitsonderlik wyd is en wissel tussen die hantering van ongedifferensieërde probleme en die uitvoer van komplekse chirurgiese prosedures, sowel as ‘n belangrike rol in openbare gesondheid. Werksomstandighede en onderrigen opleiding is geïdentifiseer as die twee belangrikste invloede wat die uitvoer van hierdie praktisyns se pligte beïnvloed. Soortgelyk aan plattelandse praktyke in ander lande, het dit duidelik geword dat werksomstandighede ‘n groot invloed op houdings en funksionering het. Hierdie bevindings is saamgevoeg in ‘n konseptuele raamwerk om die negatiewe invloede toe te lig wat veroorsaak dat hierdie geneeshere die plattelandse diens verlaat. Ander faktore wat ‘n beduidende uitwerking op praktisyns se werksbevrediging gehad het, veral wat onderrig en opleiding betref, is saamgevat in ‘n tweede en omvattende raamwerk wat die positiewe en negatiewe invloede op effektiwiteit van dienslewering en werksverrigting uitspel. Fase Twee van die studie het bestaan uit die bevestiging van die bevindings van die basiese navorsingsinligting. Perspektiewe in die onderrig en opleiding vir plattelandse praktyk is ondersoek in oorleg met die tweede doelwit van die studie. Verskeie implikasies vir voorgraadse en nagraadse onderrig en opleiding en voortgesette professionele ontwikkelingsprogramme is uit ontblote tekortkomings geïdentifiseer. Die omskrywing en die behoud van professionele bevoegdheid is in Fase Drie ondersoek. Data verkry in Fase Een, en verfyn in Fase Twee, is gebruik in die ontwikkeling van ‘n reeks opvoedkundige vraagstukke. ‘n Groep deskundiges is daarna die taak gestel om konsensus te bereik oor ‘n spektrum van onderwerpe, insluitend toepaslike inhoud, metodes van leer en moderne volwasse onderrigtegnieke vir distrikshospitaal praktykvoering. Die Delphi tegniek met herhalende elektroniese rondtes is hiervoor gebruik. Hierdie navorsing lewer inligting wat die omstandighede, ondervindings en behoeftes van geneeshere werksaam in distrikshospitale in die Wes-Kaap provinsie van Suid- Afrika beskryf.Die navorsing onthul duidelike uitdagings vir die kapasiteit, houdings, koste, isolasie, politieke wilskrag, monitering en organisasie van strategieë vir die ontwikkeling van menslike hulpbronne. Dié navorsing definieër hierbenewens die opvoedkundige doelwitte, inhoude en metodes wat nodig is vir die vestiging en instandhouding van die professionele bevoegdheid van distrikshospitaalpraktisyns in die Wes-Kaap.