Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There is no dearth of evidence of the importance of facilitation for the effectiveness of small-group teaching. However, there is hardly any local literature on the knowledge of untrained facilitators and how they apply this knowledge to develop generic skills in students. Needs identified through this study have provided an insight into the areas requiring formal training that could be useful for developing nursing-faculty development programmes.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Aim: This study aimed to explore the perceptions of third year nursing students regarding the ethics module at Shifa College of Nursing, Islamabad, Pakistan. Methods: Third year nursing students (n=26) completed a retrospective pre/post survey rating their knowledge before and after the ethics module. Focus group discussions (FGDs) addressed the importance of ethics teaching in nursing, the content, teaching and learning strategies of the module as well as whether the application of the concepts learned in the classroom were practiced in the clinical setting. Results: Participants rated their knowledge higher in the post-test (4.00) than the pretest questionnaire (2.26) (p=0.003). The main themes identified during the focus group discussions were: understanding their responsibilities towards the patient; an appreciation of the patient as a human being; applicability of the module to the clinical setting; the role of student nurses in ethical decision making in the clinical setting; and the teaching and learning strategies. The context of the nurse’s practice was also identified as being important. Conclusion: The participants valued the ethics module and its applicability to the clinical setting, but changes in the content of the module and the teaching and learning strategies were suggested.

This report analyzes the spatial shift occurring in the nature of poverty in Pakistan. Given the rapid urban growth in Pakistan, poor families residing in cities are confronted with limited employment opportunities, poor living conditions, minimal access to services, and face environmental and health risks. Macroeconomic factors such as slow economic growth, Structural Adjustment Programs, food inflation, low job creation rate and housing crisis have all contributed to the rise in urban poverty. The weak local government structure and a lack of community involvement in governance decisions have only worsened the situation. With a burgeoning urban population, it is imperative that the government introduces a holistic pro-poor development package that focuses on interventions in the education, labor and housing markets across Pakistan. / text