Abstract
BackgroundDespite the provision of the policy for Ward-based Primary Healthcare Outreach Teams, which requires home-based care workers to be supported by different categories of health professionals, home-based care workers continue to experience challenges during service provision in the communities. Home-based care workers form an integral part of the Ward-based Primary Healthcare Outreach Teams that form part of the streams of primary healthcare re-engineering. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of home-based care workers (HBCWs) when rendering services in the communities of Northern Tshwane district in Gauteng province and Madibeng district in the North West province.MethodsThe study design was qualitative, exploratory and descriptive. Purposive sampling was used from the population of HBCWs in Gauteng and North West. Focus group interviews were conducted. Tesch’s data analysis method was used. Themes and subthemes were identified by the researcher and co-coder, and these were summarised into subjects that were interrelated.ResultsDiverse experiences of participants emerged. These experiences included lack of human and material resources, poor funding, lack of knowledge, lack of support and respect and the need for psychological support.ConclusionThere is a need for a collaborative approach amongst the National Department of Health, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and HBCWs in patient care. Policies and support structures should be strengthened or reformed to promote comprehensive and integrated care to sustain HBCWs.
Highlights
According to the World Health Organization,[1] home-based care (HBC) in South Africa refers to the provision of health services by formal and informal caregivers within the home
Home-based care workers, on the other hand, who used to do mainly volunteering, have a shorter training duration of about 10 days depending on the work they are being trained for, and their curriculum is on National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Levels 1–2
The study findings revealed that home-based care workers (HBCWs) have needs and challenges that can be met through different stakeholder responses
Summary
According to the World Health Organization,[1] home-based care (HBC) in South Africa refers to the provision of health services by formal and informal caregivers within the home. Community healthcare workers (CHCWs) are employed, trained and multiskilled for 12 months; have a job description, either employed or on a contract; are supplied with working kits and do home visits. Their curriculum is on National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4.3 The payment is either from the government or through NGOs. Home-based care workers, on the other hand, who used to do mainly volunteering, have a shorter training duration of about 10 days depending on the work they are being trained for, and their curriculum is on NQF Levels 1–2. The aim of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of home-based care workers (HBCWs) when rendering services in the communities of Northern Tshwane district in Gauteng province and Madibeng district in the North West province
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