The effectiveness of primary and special healthcare systems depends on the patient referral system. In Namibia, most patients that require specialised care are referred to a referral hospital in Windhoek because of inadequate facilities, equipment and health workers in most of the regions. This study aimed to investigate the experiences of orthopaedic patients referred from regional hospitals to Katutura Intermediate Hospital in Namibia. The study was conducted at the Katutura Intermediate Hospital in Namibia. A qualitative approach with descriptive-exploratory design was utilised. The target population comprised of 50 patients referred to the orthopaedic department from the regions to Katutura Intermediate Hospital in Namibia, and purposive sampling was used to sample participants. Data were collected among 28 participants till there was no more new information emerging. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The study found that patients had varied experiences related to healthcare provision, with positive and negative experiences reported. Most patients were satisfied with the quality of healthcare services provided, while some indicated negative experiences. Areas for improvement in the referral transportation experience were identified, with a need for better vehicles and improved communication. The study reveals positive and negative experiences among participants, but most participants have positive experiences in service deliveries during hospital referrals.Contribution:The study contributed to the literature by revealing the experiences of patients referred that might assist the management to develop strategies to address the challenges identified for quality healthcare.

Patient safety incidents are a major concern in healthcare delivery, impacting patient care and health outcomes. Understanding the factors contributing to patient safety incidents is important for developing targeted strategies. Identifying these factors will enable healthcare organisations to formulate effective approaches to prevent and mitigate incidents. This study aimed to assess the contributing factors to patient safety incidents at the three selected public hospitals in Gauteng province, South Africa. The research was conducted at the three selected public hospitals in Gauteng province, South Africa, categorised as central, regional and district. A descriptive quantitative approach was utilised. Five hundred questionnaires were administered to nursing staff and quality assurance managers. A stratified sampling strategy was employed. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 26.0. Work or environment (92.72%), organisational or service (91.00%), staff (87.40%) and patient (90.97%) factors were identified as the contributing factors to patient safety incidents. The overall impression of these results is that multiple factors contribute to patient safety incidents, with varying levels of perceived impact. The findings of the study imply the need for policy development, provision of adequate staffing, consumables and equipment, staff training on developed policies and procedures, and embarking on continuous quality improvement initiatives.Contribution:This study contributes to the understanding of factors contributing to patient safety incidents within the public hospitals and furnishes healthcare leaders with focused areas for improvement.

Professional nursing started with Florence Nightingale, who opened a School of Nursing in the mid-1800s. Her traditions of cleanliness, caring, peacefulness, charitability, diligence, responsibility, humaneness and compassion are still relevant to modern-day nursing. Uncivilised behaviour of students and nurse educators in professional nursing education is still evident. The objective of the study was to critically examine the roots of incivility in professional nursing education and to apply the wisdom of Sankofa to propel a renewed South African professional nursing education. The study employed a qualitative research method embedded in the interpretive framework, with an exploratory descriptive design. The study was conducted at a university-based nursing school and a nursing college in the Western Cape province. 25 participants (10 nurse educators and 15 nursing students) were recruited through purposive sampling. Data collection was performed through semi-structured individual, face-to-face interviews. The participants consented and volunteered to participate in the study, and all discussions were confidential and private. Elo and Kyngäs data analysis was employed. Conflicts with nursing norms, bureaucracy in nursing and professional nursing education, as well as the poor prestige of nursing and institutions of higher learning emerged as roots of incivility in professional nursing education. The principles of Sankofaism can be applied to professional nursing education. Students and other key stakeholders can position professional nursing education firmly in Sankofaism.Contribution:The article proposes Sankofaism as a framework to civil professional nursing education.

Mental disorders remain a global health burden. The integration of mental health services into primary healthcare (PHC) can contribute to reduction of this burden. However, studies have reported PHC nurses' lack of knowledge of mental disorders, which leads to their negative attitudes towards people with mental disorders preventing them from seeking help. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge levels of PHC nurses regarding mental disorders in the Western Cape, South Africa. A quantitative descriptive survey was conducted. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 246 PHC nurses in the Cape Town metropole. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests and independent sample tests. A cut-off value of ≥ 80% was used to determine the sufficient levels of knowledge. The average knowledge score (15.6; 78.0%) was below the cut-off value of ≥ 80%, indicating insufficient levels of knowledge. Sufficient levels of knowledge were found for over half of the respondents (139, 59.4%). Most of the respondents were knowledgeable about the symptoms of depression (221, 94.4 %), bipolar (217, 92.7%), schizophrenia (213, 91.0%) and anxiety disorders (209, 89.3%). Over half of the PHC nurses could identify the signs and symptoms of common mental disorders. However, the knowledge of dysthymia and psychosis requires more attention.Contribution:This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge in nursing practice and education related to mental disorders.

BackgroundInsufficient resources at healthcare clinics pose a serious problem, undermining the quality-of-service delivery and negatively affecting the patients as recipients of care and the staff as providers of care. The shortages often result in extended waiting periods, delayed implementation of nursing interventions, prolonged hospitalisation and the potential of increased nosocomial infections.ObjectivesTo explore and describe the impact of insufficient resources on the quality-of-service delivery at a primary healthcare clinic in Limpopo.MethodThe study followed a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using Tesch’s eight-step method of data analysis. The study was steered by the Donabedian quality-of-care framework.ResultsOne central theme emerged, namely scarcity of healthcare resources, with three subthemes: (1) the impact of water shortage on the quality-of-service delivery, (2) the impact of staff shortage on the quality-of-service delivery and (3) the impact of medication shortage on the quality-of-service delivery.ConclusionInsufficient resources negatively affect the quality-of-service delivery in healthcare. The provision of sufficient resources through collective managerial interventions is imperative to develop and implement measures to enhance the quality-of-service delivery.ContributionThis study may create awareness among the leadership about the challenges of the clinic. It may also facilitate the development and implementation of processes to provide the resources required to improve the quality-of-service delivery.

BackgroundThe policy guidelines on 72-hour assessment of involuntary Mental Health Care Users (MHCUs) are implemented in respect of involuntary MHCUs who need mental health care, treatment and rehabilitation services. Currently, there is poor implementation of the policy guidelines on 72-hour assessment of involuntary MHCUs. This includes MHCUs staying beyond 72-hour assessment period and being exposed to infringement and violation of their rights.ObjectivesThis study explored and described the Mental Health Care Practitioners’ (MHCPs) understanding of the current practice of the policy guidelines on 72-hour assessment of involuntary MHCUs in South Africa.MethodA qualitative, exploratory, descriptive research design was followed. Participants comprised of MHCPs and were purposively sampled, while data were gathered through Focus Group Discussions utilising Microsoft Teams. Data analysis employed the six steps of thematic analysis to assess data, generate themes and categories presented concurrently with MHCPs direct quotations.ResultsThree themes emerged after data analysis namely, (1) MHCPs’ understanding of the policy guidelines on 72-hour assessment of involuntary MHCUs; (2) MHCPs’ challenges with the policy guidelines on 72-hour assessment of involuntary MHCUs; and (3) MHCPs’ suggestions to strengthen the policy guidelines on 72-hour assessment of involuntary MHCUs.ConclusionThe findings of the study indicated that there should be well-trained administrators, qualified MHCPs, appropriate infrastructure, and community and family involvement to ensure proper implementation of the 72-hour policy guidelines.ContributionThis study highlights that with the proper implementation of the 72-hour policy guidelines, MHCU rights can be protected, therefore contributing to proper mental illness management.

BackgroundIntegrating clinical research into nursing practice is essential for improving patient outcomes; however, various factors can affect nurses’ participation, despite research being one of their key performance areas. In Namibia, little research exists on the factors influencing nurses’ willingness to participate in and use clinical research. The literature indicates that two significant factors affecting registered nurses’ participation in and utilisation of clinical research are insufficient time and a lack of motivation to conduct research.ObjectivesThis study explores the factors affecting nurses’ participation and utilisation of clinical research at a regional hospital in Namibia.MethodThe study employed a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design to ensure a comprehensive approach. Sixteen participants working at Intermediate Hospital Rundu were purposefully selected. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. Interviews were then conducted until data saturation was achieved. Trustworthiness was ensured according to the four principles of Lincoln and Guba. Ethical clearance and permission were granted by the School of Nursing Research Committee. The ethical principles of autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice were adhered to.ResultsThe study revealed three main themes: individual factors, organisational factors, and research-related factors.ConclusionStrengthening individual research capacities, establishing dedicated research infrastructure and resources, and enhancing the communication and dissemination of research findings will foster a research-oriented culture and facilitate the utilisation of clinical research.ContributionUnderstanding these factors will help guide the development of strategies to promote and support nurses’ participation and utilisation of clinical research, enhance evidence-based practice and improve patient outcomes.

Globally, few studies were conducted mostly in Africa on Ubuntu and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). These studies did not incorporate empowering communities on integrating Ubuntu HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis (TB). As such, this study used empowerment as a tool to raise awareness in the community about how they can integrate Ubuntu when caring for people living with HIV (PLWHIV)/AIDS or TB. This study aimed to empower community members to use Ubuntu philosophy when caring for PLWHIV/AIDS or TB in the rural community of Limpopo province. An integrative qualitative research design was used in which data were collected through a workshop with participants. The population was unemployed matriculants, traditional health professionals and community healthcare workers who were purposefully sampled and divided into eight groups. Data were collected through a focus group discussion and analysed using content analysis. Ethical considerations and measures to ensure trustworthiness were followed. Integrating Ubuntu philosophy can reduce stigma, discrimination and lack of disclosure. This might be achieved through humanity, attitude changing and formation of a support group. The principles of Ubuntu (caring, sharing, support, humility, attitude change) came up strongly in preventing stigma and discrimination in the care of PLWHIV/AIDS or TB.Contribution:Community empowerment and integration of Ubuntu philosophical values might have a positive impact on improving the social status of PLWHIV or TB, their families and the community at large.

No abstract available.

BackgroundNursing students often experience high anxiety and depression because of the demanding nursing curriculum. This mental strain can harm their academic performance. As a result, nurse educators need to assess how anxiety impacts nursing students’ academic achievements.ObjectivesTo evaluate and describe the knowledge of counsellors and nurse educators regarding the impact of anxiety-related conditions on nursing students’ academic excellence in selected nursing education institutions.MethodA qualitative descriptive phenomenological design was used to evaluate and describe the perceptions of counsellors and nurse educators about anxiety-related conditions on nursing students’ academic excellence. Participants were purposively selected, and semi-structured interviews were utilised to collect data. Four counsellors involved in psychosocial support of nursing students who participated in individual semi-structured interviews, and 20 nurse educators participated in focus group interviews, with 5 participants per group. Data were recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were analysed using Giorgi’s (2009) four data analysis steps.ResultsFour themes emerged from data analysis: understanding of anxiety-related conditions, responses to anxiety-related conditions, influences of anxiety-related conditions and support of nursing students with anxiety-related conditions. The findings highlighted the significance of recognising the effects of mental health issues on nursing students.ConclusionThe study revealed the factors influencing nursing students’ responses to and the support provided for anxiety-related conditions affecting their academic performance.ContributionThe importance of prioritising mental health support for nursing students is to ensure they complete their qualifications on time.