Many parts of South Africa face a shortage of doctors within the public health system. While the PHC system is driven primarily by nursing staff, there is a need for doctors to provide certain services at primary and secondary levels. In 1996, as part of its efforts to address the shortage of doctors, the DoH began recruiting Cuban doctors to work in South Africa. This programme, now underway in eight of the nine provinces, falls under a government-to-government agreement aimed at strengthening the provision of health care in the areas of greatest need: townships and rural areas. The programme has demonstrated tangible success. However, it has also been criticised in some sections of the medical community and the media, where it has been portrayed in a controversial light. All this underlines the importance of an analysis of the programme, but to date, no such evaluation has been carried out.<br /> <br /> This research assesses the Cuban Health Programme in Gauteng province. On the basis of this thorough assessment, the government can take steps to improve the national programme, using Gauteng as a case study. This study was conducted in July 2004, employing qualitative methods to develop an in-depth understanding of recruitment and induction processes in Cuba and South Africa, the scope of practice of Cuban doctors, professional relationships, adaptation to the health system and broader society, and other factors. The researcher also conducted a review of official documents. Gauteng began with two Cuban doctors at the outset of the programme in 1996. The number peaked at 32, and has since dropped to 15. All of these doctors were interviewed in the course of the research, along with five managers and five peers. The study revealed that all the interviewees, except one manager, firmly believe that the programme has achieved its objectives, and should continue. Peers and managers commended the high quality, comprehensive and caring approach of the Cuban doctors, and say they are satisfying a real need. The Cuban doctors, however, believe that because they are providing mostly curative services, they are under-utilised. Flowing from the research are a series of recommendations. These include a proposal that the government recommit to the programme and ensure its continuity, and review the current role of the Cuban doctors, taking into consideration their willingness to provide training and expertise in preventive interventions.

Many parts of South Africa face a shortage of doctors within the public health system. While the PHC system is driven primarily by nursing staff, there is a need for doctors to provide certain services at primary and secondary levels. In 1996, as part of its efforts to address the shortage of doctors, the DoH began recruiting Cuban doctors to work in South Africa. This programme, now underway in eight of the nine provinces, falls under a government-to-government agreement aimed at strengthening the provision of health care in the areas of greatest need: townships and rural areas. The programme has demonstrated tangible success. However, it has also been criticised in some sections of the medical community and the media, where it has been portrayed in a controversial light. All this underlines the importance of an analysis of the programme, but to date, no such evaluation has been carried out.<br /> <br /> This research assesses the Cuban Health Programme in Gauteng province. On the basis of this thorough assessment, the government can take steps to improve the national programme, using Gauteng as a case study. This study was conducted in July 2004, employing qualitative methods to develop an in-depth understanding of recruitment and induction processes in Cuba and South Africa, the scope of practice of Cuban doctors, professional relationships, adaptation to the health system and broader society, and other factors. The researcher also conducted a review of official documents. Gauteng began with two Cuban doctors at the outset of the programme in 1996. The number peaked at 32, and has since dropped to 15. All of these doctors were interviewed in the course of the research, along with five managers and five peers. The study revealed that all the interviewees, except one manager, firmly believe that the programme has achieved its objectives, and should continue. Peers and managers commended the high quality, comprehensive and caring approach of the Cuban doctors, and say they are satisfying a real need. The Cuban doctors, however, believe that because they are providing mostly curative services, they are under-utilised. Flowing from the research are a series of recommendations. These include a proposal that the government recommit to the programme and ensure its continuity, and review the current role of the Cuban doctors, taking into consideration their willingness to provide training and expertise in preventive interventions.

Background: This study derived from the concerns raised by nurse educators, clinical preceptors, and some nursing students in public nursing colleges in Gauteng following the implementation of the provincial selection criteria and processes. While these criteria could be seen as a means of standardising the admission into the Basic Nursing Diploma Programme at public nursing colleges, anecdotal reports from nurses in education institutions and clinical practices indicated a lack of professionalism, high attrition rates among these cohorts of students. The researcher believed that any meaningful selection criteria and processes should be on the views expressed by people who have been through the process as students or educators. Aim: The aim of this study was to analyse the selection criteria and processes followed by nursing colleges in the Gauteng Province to admit students into Basic Nursing Diploma Programme with the view of proposing selection criteria and processes that would secure the admission of the best candidates to this programme in public nursing colleges in Gauteng Province. Design: Quantitative descriptive survey design with self-completion questionnaire was used to generate data for this study. Out of 571 questionnaires distributed, 492 were returned and considered for analysis. Summary descriptive statistics were performed using SPSS version 21. Results: Four of the 13 items analysed were viewed by more than 70% of the respondents as less important and irrelevant to the selection of best candidates for nursing professional education. Proposal for changes supported by the rational for these changes were made by the respondents. Conclusion and Recommendation: The study proposed a framework that could guide the provincial authority in developing admission criteria that will ensure the selection of best candidates for Basic Diploma Nursing Programme in the province. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

In 1995 a participatory research project was undertaken in the Gauteng Welfare Deparbnent by two outside researchers. The subject for the research was the management of change in the Gauteng Welfare Department. During the research, the researcher observed how the discouraged, apathetic and negative group became animated and empowered. On the basis of this observation, the researcher undertook to do a case study which reflects on the interactional process and cohesion which transpired within the participatory research process. / Social Science / M.A. Social Science (Mental Health)

In 1995 a participatory research project was undertaken in the Gauteng Welfare Deparbnent by two outside researchers. The subject for the research was the management of change in the Gauteng Welfare Department. During the research, the researcher observed how the discouraged, apathetic and negative group became animated and empowered. On the basis of this observation, the researcher undertook to do a case study which reflects on the interactional process and cohesion which transpired within the participatory research process. / Social Science / M.A. Social Science (Mental Health)