Text in Afrikaans / Drug dependent adolescents do not display a clear understanding regarding the value of social work intervention during the process of rehabilation, causing them to not utilize the profession of social work effectively during drug rehabilitation. This study aimed to explore and describe the nature and contribution of social work service delivery to drug dependent adolescents from their own perspective. A qualitative research approach, an explorative research design, and a snowball sampling technique were implemented. The sample consisted of drug dependent adolescents from the Western Cape. Semi-structured interviews were executed determining the participant’s perception of the nature and contribution of social work service delivery. Amongst others, the findings indicate that: • social workers are not sufficiently prepared, trained or committed to render effective, professional services to drug dependent adolescents; • social workers need to continuously revisit their knowledge, skill and attitude regarding this specialised field of service rendering. / Social Work / M.A. (Maatskaplike Werk)

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Mast in Technology: Public Management, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / The South African healthcare sector stands at the threshold of major restructuring in an attempt to address inadequacies as a result of fragmentation of health services in apartheid South Africa. The level of health services, particularly in rural areas, has decreased and has led to reduced quality and productivity of health services. For individuals residing in rural communities, access to health services can be arduous. Delivery of essential services has to meet the needs of marginalised people who live in remote areas. In light of the above, the department of health is faced with growing expectations from citizens to use resources efficiently and effectively and to ensure that healthcare is affordable and accessible to all. National Health Insurance (NHI) is intended to bring about reform that will improve service provision. The researcher undertook this study to explore healthcare challenges faced by South Africa and its people and how far progressive realisation of access to healthcare, as enshrined in the 1996 Constitution, is being implemented. A case study using a mixed method approach was adopted. The literature reviewed indicated that issues of remuneration, ageing infrastructure and general management challenges, including financial management, are among the challenges that continue to hamper the public health system in South Africa. In addition, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has created more demand for healthcare as many more people become sick. The Green Paper outlining the government’s broad policy proposals for NHI, released in August 2011, makes it clear that NHI is a long-term project that will be rolled out over 14 years. It aims to promote efficiency and equity to ensure that all South Africans have access to affordable, quality healthcare. The findings of this study are useful not only to the case study institution, but to all District Hospitals, especially the department of health and the public management sector and may assist in taking the NHI forward. / M

Risk management strategy is a broad discipline aimed at identifying, evaluating and handling risks by both physical and financial means. The medical aid industry in South Africa has experienced a disproportionate increase in expenditure relative to the overall economic growth. These cost pressures have placed restraints on their ability to obtain new members, which is vital when subsidizing higher risks with younger healthier members, and has resulted in losses for many schemes. Compounding the problem has been political and regulatory health care reforms as well as technological advances, which have initiated a complete restructure of the industry. This dissertation reviews the risk management strategies implemented by medical insurers in South Africa. An analysis of alternate risk management strategies is taken with the view of recommending a tentative means of making medical aids more efficient in an increasingly difficult market. / Business Management / M. Comm. (Business Management)

This study addresses the effectiveness of communication between the team (doctors, sisters and social workers) and patients at the Breast Cancer Clinic of the Johannesburg Hospital. Tue needs of patients were highlighted, as well as the role of care-giver, both as a group and in their separate disciplines, in attempting to meet these needs. Tue empirical survey was carried out through the use of questionnaires as well as interview schedules. Patients, doctors, nurses and social workers were used as respondents. Results indicated that the majority of patients' needs for information and support were met by the team in general; however, a need for further social work intervention seemed to be apparent. In addition, several barriers were found to inhibit both team-patient and inter-team communication. Tue researcher used the information gathered in this study to make recommendations that will facilitate improved communication in the clinic, with specific reference to the role of the social worker. / Social Work / M.A.(Social Science: Mental Health)

Risk management strategy is a broad discipline aimed at identifying, evaluating and handling risks by both physical and financial means. The medical aid industry in South Africa has experienced a disproportionate increase in expenditure relative to the overall economic growth. These cost pressures have placed restraints on their ability to obtain new members, which is vital when subsidizing higher risks with younger healthier members, and has resulted in losses for many schemes. Compounding the problem has been political and regulatory health care reforms as well as technological advances, which have initiated a complete restructure of the industry. This dissertation reviews the risk management strategies implemented by medical insurers in South Africa. An analysis of alternate risk management strategies is taken with the view of recommending a tentative means of making medical aids more efficient in an increasingly difficult market. / Business Management / M. Comm. (Business Management)

This study addresses the effectiveness of communication between the team (doctors, sisters and social workers) and patients at the Breast Cancer Clinic of the Johannesburg Hospital. Tue needs of patients were highlighted, as well as the role of care-giver, both as a group and in their separate disciplines, in attempting to meet these needs. Tue empirical survey was carried out through the use of questionnaires as well as interview schedules. Patients, doctors, nurses and social workers were used as respondents. Results indicated that the majority of patients' needs for information and support were met by the team in general; however, a need for further social work intervention seemed to be apparent. In addition, several barriers were found to inhibit both team-patient and inter-team communication. Tue researcher used the information gathered in this study to make recommendations that will facilitate improved communication in the clinic, with specific reference to the role of the social worker. / Social Work / M.A.(Social Science: Mental Health)

This explorative, descriptive quantitative survey attempted to determine whether the reduced number of consultations and admissions of sick children less than five years in Emfuleni sub- district clinics is due to the utilisation of the IMCI strategy or other health services. The research population comprised of all the mothers/caretakers of children less than five years who utilised the clinics and those who consulted the private medical doctor. The convenient sample consisted of 169 candidates. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire and analysed using the SAS/Basic computer statistical software package. Findings of the study revealed a need to address the major concern about the waiting time and operational times in all the three clinics. Recommendations were made that staff allocation procedures and policies be reviewed in order to abate long waiting periods at the clinics where children with childhood illnesses are treated. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

This study looks at two community mental health facilities. The one setting is that of a state aided organisation, while the other is a non-government organisation (NGO). These two settings are contrasted in terms of how they conceptualise the concept 'community', their physical settings and facilities, and the activities and processes at each setting. The differences in the day-to-day operational processes, and activities according to their respective philosophies - psychiatric medical model and ecological model - are explored and captured from the participants through utilising qualitative data gathering methods such as interviews, observations and the personal experiences of the researcher. The information obtained from each participant in both settings reflect how they think, feel and behave towards their work. This information contributes to an understanding of how community mental health clinics operate. Finally the recommendations are of how work could be done differently, making them both more community orientated. / M. A.(Clinical Psychology)

The study was aimed at furthering the health objectives of the government's Reconstruction and Development Programme (ANC 1994b) in the area of primary health care. . The purpose of the study was to examine the possible reduction of medical scheme claims for cardiovascular disease by means of primary health care, so that medical scheme benefits do not become exhausted so rapidly. The overall outcome of the study showed that if cardiovascular disease could be diagnosed and treated early, the financial benefits could be substantial. This was illustrated by the comparison of primary, secondary and tertiary treatment of cardiovascular disease using case studies over a period of one year. Recommendations centered around nurse-based primary health care for cardiovascular disease and the cost-effective management of the medical scheme. It was concluded that as a result of nurse-based primary health care, costs could be contained so that medical scheme benefits would not become exhausted so rapidly. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

Text in English / South Africa is currently in the process health care reform as the Government has undertaken the task of providing universal health care to all South Africans through the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHI). This study took an in-depth look at the history and progression of the post-1994 South African health care policy, and applied the Power Resources Theory to the political economy of the current health care reform process in South Africa. Through a comparative study of the pivotal elements in the phases of health reform in Canada and Sweden this study drew lessons for the design and implementation of universal public health care provision in South Africa. This study found that a strong culture of care, strong political will, active civil society participation and a focus on equality as opposed to poverty in the creation of policy is essential to a successful implementation of universal health care. / Sociology / M.A. (Sociology)